Hosts Zimbabwe take on Bangladesh in the first ODI of the 3-match series at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. It is part of the ICC ODI Super League.

After being comprehensively beaten in the Test match, Zimbabwe will be looking to bounce back against Bangladesh in this all-important ODI series. The team has been struggling to put up good performances to win matches consistently, ending their 10-ODI-long losing streak with a super over win over Pakistan in November last year. 

Brendan Taylor will play a key role with the bat and will need help from Wesley Madhevere and experienced Sikandar Raza in the middle order. Blessing Muzurbani, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara form a strong core in the pace department, with Ryan Burl and Wellington Masakadza on spin duties.

Bangladesh come into this ODI series full of confidence, following their comprehensive 220-run win in the Test match. Their experienced ODI squad will be expecting to triumph once again, taking some crucial Super League points. The team boasts plenty of strong batters such as skipper Tamim, all-rounder Shakib and Mahmadullah. 

Afif Hossain and Mosadek Hossain in the middle order will have the responsibility of giving good finishes to the innings. Mushfiqur Rahim will not take part in the rest of the matches, after flying home for personal reasons. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will lead the pace bowling attack, while Shakib and Mehidy Hasan will take care of the spin department.

Bangladesh have a good record over Zimbabwe in the last few years and will look to continue their domination. The hosts will be looking to bounce from the defeat of last week and gain crucial Super League points here. Expect an entertaining game of ODI cricket at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Match Details

• Match: Zimbabwe vs. Bangladesh, 1st ODI
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
• Date & Time: Jul. 16 2021, at 1 PM IST/9.30 AM Local

Probable Playing XI

Zimbabwe

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Brendan Taylor (C), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (WK), Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal (C), Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das (WK), Mossadek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam

Weather and Pitch Report

Harare is expected to have mostly clear weather during the match. The temperature will be around 18 degrees during the game.

The pitch at the Harare Sports Club is generally a good batting wicket. Although there will be early assistance to the pace bowlers from the surface, It will allow batsmen for good stroke play throughout the match. Spinners will get assistance as the match progresses into the second half. The average first-innings score in the last five ODIs played here has been 193 runs. 

Keeping in mind the early morning moisture and the recent record here, the captain winning the toss is most likely to opt to field first. A first-innings score of around 260 can be a challenging total on this surface.

Top Fantasy Picks

Zimbabwe

• Brendan Taylor will become only the 5th player from Zimbabwe to play 200 ODIs. He comes into this match in good form, following scores of 81 and 92 in the Test match. Overall, he has scored 6530 runs at an average of 35.68, including 11 centuries and 39 half centuries.
• Wesley Madhevere had a decent start to his ODI career, scoring 227 ODI runs at an average of 37.83, with 2 half centuries. He has also taken a couple of wickets with the ball. With Sean Williams and Craig Ervine missing, he will be looking to make some big runs here.
• Blessing Muzarabani has been brilliant for Zimbabwe in all three formats of the game. He has taken 25 wickets in 21 ODIs, with best figures of 5 for 49. He is the key bowler for the hosts, given the fact that he has taken 10 wickets in his last three Tests on home soil.

Bangladesh

• Tamim Iqbal missed out playing in the Test match due to a hand injury. He had an average series with the bat against Sri Lanka, making 82 runs in three matches at an average of 27.33. He has scored 7534 runs in 216 ODIs at an average of 36.75, including 13 centuries.
• Mahmudullah shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from Test cricket after playing brilliantly in the Test match last week. He made his highest Test score of 150* and also had a good ODI series against Sri Lanka, scoring 148 runs in three matches, with 2 half centuries.
  Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been good with the ball for Bangladesh, taking consistent wickets in every format. He took 9 wickets in the Test match and 7 wickets in three ODIs against Sri Lanka. In total, he has taken 54 wickets at an economy of 4.43. He is very handy with the bat too.

Howzat Dream Team

• Wicketkeepers: B Taylor, L Das 
• Batsmen: T Kamunhukamwe, W Madhevere, T Iqbal
• All-rounders: M Hasan, Mahmudullah, R Burl
• Bowlers: T Chatara, B Muzarabani, T Ahmed

• Captain: L Das/T Iqbal
• Vice Captain: B Taylor/B Muzarabani

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can make your fantasy 11 and play fantasy cricket matches. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team suggested.

Get fantasy cricket tips on your favorite fantasy sports app and select your own team, Howzat!