We take a close look at the exciting Tri-Series match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe happening this Tuesday, 23 January, at Mirpur.
The competition in this tightly-fought tri-series is heating up with just two matches remaining before the grand final. A win for Bangladesh secures them a spot in Saturday’s ultimate showdown, effectively ruling Zimbabwe out of title contention.
Zimbabwe looks to bounce back from their opening loss to Bangladesh, while the Tigers will aim to build on their commanding victory against Sri Lanka last Friday.
Match Details: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | Tuesday 23 January | Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | 20:00
Match Winner Odds
Bangladesh 2/13 | Tie 35/1 | Zimbabwe 46/10
Bangladesh
The hosts have been the standout team in the tournament so far and will be eager to confirm their dominance by clinching a spot in, and ultimately winning, the final. Another win against Zimbabwe would solidify their position.
Although Mashrafe Mortaza’s bowling impact has lessened recently, his savvy captaincy remains vital. Opener Tamim Iqbal and ace spinner Shakib Al Hasan continue to lead the batting and bowling charges respectively.
Shakib Al Hasan recently highlighted the fierce competition for batting spots, with the all-rounder’s promotion to the third batting position opening opportunities for upcoming talents like Sabbir Rahman and Mohammad Mahmudullah to prove their mettle.
Bangladesh aims to convert promising starts into bigger scores. Their top six showcased solid contributions against Sri Lanka, though none converted half-centuries into centuries, a gap to address.
Bangladesh also learned from their victory over Zimbabwe earlier in the series, noting Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to spin bowling. Expect them to again open their bowling attack with two left-arm spinners to exploit this weakness.
Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean side has lost momentum since their win over Sri Lanka but Tuesday’s match offers a final chance to finish above third place in this competitive tri-series.
Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, and Hamilton Masakadza have been the mainstays of the batting line-up this month, but Taylor, with an average of 40, needs to step up to mid-50s or 60s form to inspire his team in this short tournament.
Fast bowler Kyle Jarvis has struggled to adapt since coming back from England, where conditions favoured pace, but hope remains that he can turn things around on Tuesday.
Both Bangladesh (320) and Zimbabwe (290) have posted the highest team totals in the tri-series so far, indicating a high-scoring contest ahead. The captain winning the toss is anticipated to bat first.
Prediction: Bangladesh 2/13
The Tigers have a strong home record against Zimbabwe, having won 40 of their 68 ODIs against them and not losing at home since 2010. They look set to make it 41 wins in 69 matches and secure their place in the final.
