Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, T20I Tri-Series Match 4, Chattogram: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Victory is imperative for both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the fourth clash of the T20I Tri-Series on Wednesday, September 18, with Afghanistan coasting above them.

Afghanistan have both of their two matches, and are top of the table with 4 points, with their position in the final more or less certain. That makes this clash in Chattogram on Thursday and must-win for Bangladesh and Zimbabwe – lose, and they can kiss their chances goodbye.

Bangladesh are better placed. They beat Zimbabwe in the opener, albeit unconvincingly, and that’s given them two points, meaning they are just two behind Afghanistan. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are bottom of the table with no points so far.

Both teams have faced similar issues – their senior players haven’t contributed. While all of Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah are yet to make the a notable score, the same can be said of Zimbabwe, with Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine all struggling.

It might be that both managements might try throwing youngster in the mix – both teams could use some exuberance in the middle. All in all, it should be a fine clash.

Head to head

The head-to-head rivalry between these two teams are pretty even – they have played 10 matches, with Bangladesh winning 6 to Zimbabwe’s 4. In the 4 matches in 2016 that the two sides played in in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe won 2. It’s a closely-fought competition.

Key players

Liton Das (Bangladesh): Liton Das has had a tough time of it. There was an electric 94* in the World Cup against West Indies, but thereafter, he hasn’t crossed 33 – in the first innings of the Test against Afghanistan – in eight innings across formats, and was out for a duck in his last match. Bangladesh could desperately use runs from him.

Ryan Burl (Zimbabwe): The 25-year-old, in the first match against Bangladesh, scored a fighting 57* to raise Zimbabwe’s hopes. He scored 25 against Afghanistan, and conceded just 4 in his only over. The youngster might be Zimbabwe’s big hope.

Likely XIs

Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (wk), Hamilton Masakadza (c), Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Neville Madziva, Kyle Jarvis, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tendai Chatara

Prediction

Bold one – Zimbabwe to put up a glorious fight, and secure a nervy win.