Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Preview – The Big Tiger Roars Again, Ft. skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, one last time

Bangladesh have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Even as in the first game the Tigers romped home to their biggest victory in the format by 169 runs, in the second game, they had to fight hard. The visitors’ lower order gave the hosts a run for their money. In the end, the home team won by four runs despite Donald Tiripano’s strong efforts.

The third ODI on March 6 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is a mere dead rubber. However, the game has a significance for its own special reason. The game is Mashrafe Mortaza’s final as Bangladesh’s ODI skipper. Prior to the game, the Narail Express decided to step down as the captain. Earlier, BCB chief Nazmul Hasan also said that it would be his final series as the captain.

The Tigers will be looking to give him a happy farewell. For the final game, the management has also rested Mushfiqur Rahim, who has refused to travel to Pakistan. In the meantime, for Zimbabwe, they will be looking to restore some pride and maybe evade a series defeat. The last match would have done their confidence a world of good. A win will keep them in good stead ahead of the T20Is.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

The Tigers are likely to bring in Soumya Sarkar to fill in Mushfiqur’s position. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman didn’t play the previous game due to some reason or the other. If they are fit, the duo will replace Al-Amin Hossain and Taijul Islam, both of whom were taken to the cleaners.

Tamim Iqbal got the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter and he will be keen to carry on with the form. Liton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto got run out last time and the onus will also be on them. Mahmudullah Riyad and Mohammad Mithun’s role in the middle will also hold vitality.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Taijul Islam, Shafiul Islam/Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain/Mohammad Saifuddin

Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe batting put up a much better batting show last time around, though their bowling has a lot of scope for improvement. A number of their batters have gotten starts, but none has been able to convert them. The young Wesley Madhevere has given all round shows in both matches.

Kamunhukamwe, Sikandar Raza also got fifties and they will be looking for a big score. Richmond Mutumbami has churned out 36 runs. In the bowling department, Carl Mumba has three wickets. Madhevere and Chris Mpofu have two wickets each. The rest of the bowlers have been lacklustre.

Probable XI

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Regis Chakabva, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams (C), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Charlton Tshuma

Focus will be on

Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh)

Skipper Mashrafe has won Bangladesh plenty of series. In 2015, he became the first Tigers’ skipper to lead his team to the quarterfinal of the World Cup, beating England. In Friday’s match, he is expected to take the field with a nothing-to-lose approach. He has three wickets in the series thus far and would be looking to finish off with another good spell, possibly a match-winning one.

Wesley Madhevere (Zimbabwe)

Wesley Madhevere made his Zimbabwe debut in the series. But it hasn’t fazed him by any stretch of the imagination. He is currently their leading run-scorer in the series, having 87 runs with a top score of 52. He also showed maturity of building partnerships in the middle overs. The 19-year-old Madhevere has also been frugal with the ball, picking up two wickets at an economy of 5.73.

Head to Head

Played-73, Bangladesh won- 46, Zimbabwe won- 28, N/R- 0

Stat Attack

97– Runs Liton Das needs to complete 1,000 ODI runs.

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports Select 2, Star Sports Select 2 HD

Online– Hotstar

Match Timings – 13:30 IST; 14:00 local; 08:00 GMT