Bangladesh were sent to bat first by Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabva who won the toss in the opening game of the three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Chakabva, who is leading the side in absence of injured Sean Williams, said that the early moisture in the pitch prompted them to bowl first as they are looking to snap the 19-match losing streak against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal, however, is determined to bring the high flying Zimbabwe down to the earth, considering the fact that the format found extremely to their likings.
Since their series to New Zealand in early 2021, Bangladesh are yet to concede any ODI series and in this time, they beat the teams like Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa.
Therefore, Bangladesh are confident to extend their winning streak to 20 against Zimbabwe by winning this match.
Bangladesh however finally included Anamul Haque Bijoy in the side after he missed all of the matches against West Indies in the side’s last ODI series.
Bijoy who played his last ODI in 2019 against Sri Lanka forced his way back to the side with a record tally in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL).
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das (wk), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahamadullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mosadekk Hossain Saikat.
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (captain), Innocent Kaia, Wesely Madhevere, Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza
