Zimbabwe face uphill task as they fight to save series
Overview
**Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI**Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Tuesday, 03 March; 01.00pm local, 07.00am GMT
A 169-run win in the first game – a Bangladesh record in ODIs – preceded by an innings win in the only Test has further reinforced what was already known: that Zimbabwe have a tall task ahead of them against a Bangladesh side that has steadily grown to have an air of invincibility about them at home.
This despite the absence of a world-class allrounder in Shakib Al Hasan, a player the likes of whose absence can erode the balance of most top sides in world cricket. Perhaps equally pleasing for Bangladesh about that win would be the contribution of Mashrafe Mortaza, who is leading, and potentially playing for, his country for the final time. Two wickets, including that of his opposite number Chamu Chibhabha and a catch have served a timely reminder of his credentials at a time when the Bangladesh Cricket Board has thrown out a perform-or-perish ultimatum at the 36-year-old veteran.
#1stODI | PROMISING: A disappointing result for us, but what an encouraging start to international cricket by debutant Wesley Madhevere as he took a wicket before he top-scored for @ZimCricketv with 35 in the 169-run loss to @BCBtigers at Sylhet! 👍👍 #BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/inKGbYxNTt
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 1, 2020
Zimbabwe have been outclassed with bat and ball so far. They couldn’t manage the runs Bangladesh got in their only dig from both their innings together in the Test, while in the first ODI, too, they ended with less than half the total Bangladesh racked up. Zimbabwe haven’t won a bilateral series in Bangladesh since 2001, when they swept the hosts 3-0. With only two matches left, there is no more room for lapses if Zimbabwe are to reverse the series of disappointments that have followed since then.
What happened last time
Liton Das’ 105-ball 126, which was complemented by an army of supporting acts, lifted Bangladesh to 321/6. In reply, Zimbabwe hardly stood defiant in the face of a daunting target, as Bangladesh’s bowlers collectively dismissed the visitors for 152.
#1stODI | RESULT: @ZimCricketv (152 in 39.1 overs - Madhevere 35, Mutombodzi 24, Raza 18; Saifuddin 3/22, Miraz 2/33, Mashrafe 2/35) lost to @BCBtigers (321-6 in 50 overs - Liton Das 126, Mithun 50, Mahmudullah 32; Mpofu 2/68, Mumba 1/45, Mutombodzi 1/47) by 169 runs #BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/0mengtlOaY
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) March 1, 2020
What they said
Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh captain:"Personally, it's been not going well last 3-4 matches for us in this format. We hadn't been up to the mark in those games, but today we were up for it.”
Chamu Chibhabha, Zimbabwe captain:"I thought the Bangladeshis batted really well. They had a guy bat through for them, and they had partnerships through the game. That was the key for them.”
Conditions
There could be some thunderstorms at around 6pm local time, which could affect the magnitude of the chase.