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Tri-series: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe Preview

Batsman faces bowler in front of packed cordon

We preview the Tuesday 23 January’s Tri-Series clash between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to be played in Mirpur. 

With the final just two games away, competition is really hotting up in this tightly-contested trifecta. A win will book Bangladesh a berth in Saturday’s finale, leaving Zimbabwe all but out of the running.

The African outfit will attempt to avenge the defeat suffered to Bangladesh in the tri-series opener, while the Tigers can build on last week Friday’s hefty win over Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh v Zimbabwe | Tuesday 23 January | Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | 8:00

To Win Match
Bangladesh 2/13 | Tie 35/1 | Zimbabwe 46/10

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Bangladesh
The home side, importantly, have been the best team of the tournament and it’s equally key that they reiterate this dominance by securing a berth in – and winning – the final. Another victory over Zimbabwe will go a long way in reinforcing this ambition.

While the veteran Mashrafe Mortaza’s role with the ball has become less significant over the last week or so, his astute leadership will again be a must. Opener Tamim Iqbal and spinner Shakib Al Hasan, meanwhile, will spearhead the batting and bowling ranks, respectively.

Al Hasan recently praised the healthy competition for places among the batsmen and, with the stalwart all-rounder elevated to three in the order, now – perhaps more than ever – is the time for the likes of the talented Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Mahmudullah – to justify the jostle.

Tho hosts would also like to see stronger conversion. Their top six batsmen contributed innings of reasonable significance against the Sri Lankans last week, but not one of the three half-centurions graduated to triple figures.

They would have learnt a lot from their series-opening win over Zimbabwe, too, including the opposition’s evident weaknesses against slow bowling. Opening the attack with two-left arm spinners, again, is on the cards.

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Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe have, admittedly, lost some momentum since last week’s triumph over Sri Lanka – and Tuesday’s fixture is their last chance to show they can finish higher than third in a three-horse race.

Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza have effectively carried the batting ranks this month, but one would really like to see more from Taylor. He’s averaging 40, but should really be up there in the 50s and 60s for this brief tournament.

Seamer Kyle Jarvis, meanwhile, has been entirely underwhelming. It seems he got all too used to bowling on conducive decks in England, but hasn’t been able to adapt his approach adequately enough since returning to Zimbabwe cricket. Here’s hoping he proves doubters wrong on Tuesday.

Bangladesh (320) and Zimbabwe (290) have produced the two biggest totals of the tri-series so far, with a high-scoring affair expected this time around as well. The toss-winning captain should, predictably, bat first.

Verdict: Bangladesh 2/13
The Tigers have won 40 of their 68 ODIs against Zimbabwe – and haven’t lost to them at home since 2010. They’ll almost certainly make it 41 in 69 – and book a berth in the final.

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Written by Jonhenry Wilson for Hollywoodbets

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