Confident Zimbabwe look to seal series (Preview)

Having celebrated their test return after a self imposed exile of almost six years with an impressive victory, Zimbabwe continue to impress in the ODI series as well. On other hand their opponents continue to disappoint. The hosts’ bowlers continue to impress and Bangladesh batsmen continue to do otherwise. As a result, Zimbabwe lead the five match series 2-0.

In both the matches, Bangladesh batsmen have capitulated to splendid bowling show from Zimbabwean. The defeats have come in a similar fashion. The tourists have been bowled out for below par scores and Zimbabwe chased them successfully without major hiccups. If one had to put the contrasting performances of the teams in a concise manner; the series has been bereft of a real contest with home team all over Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s reckless and foolhardy approach to the batting continues to haunt them, Zimbabwe bowlers have stuck to their plans ever so methodically that success in the series seems to be their destiny. For Bangladesh, flops out of some big names have already emerged and Zimbabwe have already a couple of future stars unearthed.

None better than left arm paceman Brain Vitori. The young bowling sensation has followed his productive test match debut with two fifers in his first two ODI’s of his career. He has rewritten the history books, and, by the look of things, possesses all the ingredients to make it big. His seam and swing at a good pace and control has impressed one and all. Without a surprise, he has been a chief architect of both the wins. The contributions of other bowlers can’t be overruled as well.

In batting, young opener Vusimuzi Sibanda has scored fifties of highest order in both matches and has found a good support from Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu. There is some room for improvements though. Runs are yet to come from skipper Brendon Taylor and Bangladesh have been let off the hook to go to 150 plus scores after having them completely on the mat.

If the tourists harbor any hopes of making a comeback in the series, they need to put their house in order. Suicidal tendencies of their top order batsmen have let the team down and team management needs to cajole or berate their wards to cut down on the mistakes. Someone in the top four needs to take responsibility of batting through the overs that can provide base for a big score. Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal will have to do less talking and wield magic with his willow to translate his immense talent into runs. Time has come for senior batsmen Mohammad Ashraful to perform or be ready for another axing. Only substantial positive from the second ODI was a gritty fifty scored by debutant Nasir Hossain who displayed patience, application and skill in his first impression that others have failed to show.

A big total on the scoreboard should mean Bangladesh spinners coming into play. They have had hardly an impact thus far as they haven’t had any runs to play with. To stage a comeback, Bangladesh will have to be more energetic on the field and show some character with the bat. Otherwise Zimbabwe will run away with the show.

If confident Zimbabwean want to emulate the previous performances and seal in the third ODI only, they should make complacency doesn’t creep into their mindset.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD: Brendan Taylor (c), Brian Vitori, Christopher Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura, Forster Mutizwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Kyle Jarvis, Malcolm Waller, Prosper Utseya, Regis Chakabva, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Tendai Chatara, Ray Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda.

BANGLADESH SQUAD: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Robiul Islam, Shuvagoto Hom, Nasir Hossain.