Zimbabwe look to build on test win (Preview)

Zimbabwe’s readmission to test cricket after a self imposed exile was quite outstanding. Not only did the African side scored an amazing victory against their arch rivals Bangladesh, Brendon Taylor led side demonstrated that six years in wilderness didn’t affect their passion, hunger and desire to play the longest format of the game. For their second innings in test cricket, Zimbabwe looked a far better side than Bangladesh and took the honours by playing some fantastic cricket and unleashed some talented cricket to the table.

The victory augurs well for Zimbabwe and rightly been celebrated by the players and coaching staff. A new challenge awaits them albeit in another format. A five match ODI starts at Harare Sports Club as Bangladesh look to regain their pride after a shock defeat.

Bangladesh looked quite a contrast to their counterparts. The visitors appeared to be undercooked, jaded, and, at times, lacked skill and patience to match the hosts. As far as fast bowling of both the teams go, Bangladesh were abysmal as compared to Zimbabwean’s whose fast bowling pair of debutants troubled opposite batters throughout the test match.

Having played ODI cricket consistently, Zimbabwe have picked up a good blend of talented and experienced players. Experienced off spinner Prosper Utseya is back and majority of the players in the ODI squad featured in the test match. It is a classic case, for Zimbabwe, to take winning momentum to fifty over cricket. If they harbor of any chances of repeating their heroics in the ODI series, Zimbabwe need to emulate their energy levels, passion and desire that were exhibited in last weeks.

Skipper Brendon Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu should be responsible to give batting stability and in bowling Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis are exciting prospects. And real test for tourists’ batsmen will be cunning off-spinners from cunning and thrifty Utseya.

On the other hand, it would need a magical pep talk to lift the beleaguered side. Bangladesh landed in Zimbabwe having been dubbed as favourites but they couldn’t translate the tag into performance. It doesn’t make Bangladesh a bad side though.

Shakib Al Hasan led side boasts of some quality players. The skipper himself can turn any cricket match on its head with both bat and ball, Mohammad Ashraful has showed in the past what he is capable of and Tamim Iqbal can launch murderous assault on any bowling side. Having an army of spinners, the tourists’ bowling unit looks toothless though. The fast bowlers haven’t looked anything near taking a wicket in the test match. For Bangladesh to make a comeback, their fast bowlers need to hit the straps soon.

Whatever, a riveting battle should be on display between the two teams lurking in the bottom half of the rankings.

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 (vc), 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.