Ban v Zim 2nd T20I Preview: Visitors in search of a much-needed win

Zimbabwe, after losing four successive limited-overs series against Afghanistan arrived in Bangladesh with redemption in mind. The team started well with the bat in the first T20I against the home side in Khulna, however, a familiar story unfolded during the course of the match. The visitors will look to get their act together and level the series in the second T20I. Meanwhile, the hosts will continue with their experiments and try different combination as they look for a settled lineup before the WorldT20.

Bangladesh:

In the first T20I Mashrafe Mortaza was happy to see Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah vacate higher batting spots and use their experience well to steer Bangladesh to a win, but said he would have liked to use Shuvagata Hom’s offspin at some stage. Shuvagata also failed with the bat at No 4. It wasn’t new for the experienced batsmen to be doing their job, but seeing them adapt to new roles was pleasing for home team’s captain.

After struggling in the initial parts, the hosts made a brilliant comeback to seal the match. Their experiments proved largely successful. Sabbir Rahman would have liked to stay at the crease till the end of Bangladesh’s successful chase in the first game, but his 46 was heartening given how he grasped the chance to bat at No 3. The potential inclusion of Arafat Sunny could be one possible change for Bangladesh if they look to try out more combinations.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe had their moments in the game but failed to capitalize. They will look to rectify the errors that cost them the match. The experienced duo of Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda starting superbly with the bat but the likes of Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Waller were unable to capitalise on the 101-run opening stand. Zimbabwe will also be unhappy with their fielding effort, with Sibanda dropping Sabbir Rahman at a crucial stage. Masakadza said he was happy with the bowling attack’s display despite missing Tinashe Panyangara’s control at the top.

Vusi Sibanda played second fiddle to Hamilton Masakadza’s brutal 79. He should have also made a fifty but got too greedy against Shakib Al Hasan, falling for 46. Zimbabwe may rethink their bowling attack with either of Neville Madziva, Tendai Chisoro or Taurai Muzarabani getting a chance to play. Graeme Cremer will continue to lead the attack and make an impact in the spin-friendly surface in Khulna.

Form guide: (Last five matches, most recent first)

Bangladesh: WLWLL

Zimbabwe: LLLWL

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Mahmudullah, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Shuvagata Hom, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Al-Amin Hossain.

Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Sean Williams, 4 Peter Moor (wk), 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Malcolm Waller, 7 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 8 Brian Vitori, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Luke Jongwe, 11 Graeme Cremer.

Stats: 

1. In the first match, Mushfiqur Rahim played as a specialist batsman for the first time in his T20I career.

2. Hamilton Masakadza’s 79 equalled his and Zimbabwe’s highest individual score in T20Is.