Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI – 1/3/2020

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI Match Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 01/03/2020

Bangladesh take on Zimbabwe in the first of a three-game series between the two sides. The ODI series follows the recent Test victory by Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will be keen to continue to win on home soil and boost confidence ahead of stronger challenges to come. These games could also give the Tigers a chance to assess their squad options. It is Bangladesh’s first one-day game since July last year.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be hoping to be more competitive ion the limited-overs format after folding tamely in the Test.

This will be Zimbabwe’s first ODI action since suffering a whitewash against Ireland last July. They will be led for the first time by interim ODI skipper Chamu Chibhabha.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1^st ODI – Match Preview

Where: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet

When: Sunday 1^st March

Pitch conditions: This is only the second ODI to be played at the stadium since Bangladesh beat West Indies in 2018. Bangladesh won the toss that day and chose to bat last.

Weather conditions: It will be a hot and sunny day in Sylhet for this fixture. There is no chance of rain and temperatures are likely to be just shy of the 30c point.

Start Time: 12:30 (IST), 07:00 (GMT)

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1^st ODI – Latest Odds

Bangladesh are considered favourites to win this game. They can be backed at 1.20 (1/5) with bet365 to get the job done.

Zimbabwe can be backed at 4.50 (7/2) to cause the upset and take an early series lead.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1^st ODI – Team News

Bangladesh have included Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim in the ODI squad for the first time.

The duo make up a number of changes for the home side. Mashrafe Mortaza will be playing his final series as Bangladesh captain. He returns to the squad alongside Naimul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Al-Amin Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin and Shafiul Islam.

Making way are Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Anamul Haque, Farhad Reza and Taskin Ahmed, who is in the Test squad but didn’t make the ODI cut.

Wesley Madhevere has earned a maiden call-up for Zimbabwe after impressing during the Under-19 World Cup.

He is joined by the returning Sean Williams as well as Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Richmond Mutumbami.

Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Regis Chakabva, Victor Nyauchi and Brian Mudzinganyama were all part of the one-off Test team but haven’t made the ODI side.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI Squads

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1^st ODI – Betting Tips and Prediction

This looks like another difficult assignment for the touring Zimbabwe team.

Having the experience of Sean Williams will help their cause and interim one-day captain Chamu Chibhabha will be eager to make a positive start.

That said, Bangladesh should once more prove far too strong for their visitors.

Ervine can offer some resistance

Craig Ervine was in fine form in the previous Test series between these two teams and can continue that into this ODI clash.

He hit 107 and 43 in his two innings in the Test match and also bagged a century in the first ODI against Ireland back in July.

A partnership between him and Williams could be key to how Zimbabwe fair here.

Ervine is 4.50 (7/2) with bet365 to be his team’s top batsman.

Hard to look beyond Rahim for Bangladesh

Mushfiqur Rahim is enjoying a fine spell with the bat. His double hundred in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe was just rewards for his recent form.

That followed a decent showing in India in November. He knocked 43 and 64 in the first Test in Indore before an even more impressive second innings 74 in the second Test in Kolkata.

Maybe more crucially, Rahim was also Bangladesh’s main man with the bat when they were last in ODI action in Sri Lanka last year.

He is available at 4.33 (10/3) to be Bangladesh’s top run-scorer in this match.

Best Bet: Craig Ervine to be Zimbabwe’s top batsman at 4.50 (7/2) with bet365