Zimbabwe have a lot to work on, but their goal is simpler. They would want to equalise instead of conceding a 2-0 lead before moving to Dhaka for the last three games

The Preview by Mohammad Isam in Chittagong22-Nov-20140:42

Zimbabwe look to turn a corner

Match factsNovember 23, 2014
Start time 1230 local (0630 GMT)Big PictureBangladesh are finally up and running in ODIs this year. In their 14th attempt, they have broken the duck which had caused them so much grief in 2014. Taking the 1-0 lead in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, therefore, has double significance.Of course, much of the attention would go to Shakib Al Hasan for the way he enforced himself on the visitors. After Bangladesh slipped to 70 for 4, it was Shakib who rescued them with a timely century, his first in four years. He added 148 for the fifth wicket, a Bangladesh record, with Mushfiqur Rahim.Later it was still Shakib who provided the early breakthroughs and finished with four wickets. Mahmudullah, new captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Arafat Sunny all bowled well to take two wickets each.Zimbabwe on the other hand had a nightmare on the field. Captain Elton Chigumbura dropped Mushfiqur on 16 and later overstepped when the same batsman was caught at the boundary, on 56. Brendan Taylor made up for his dropped catch with his first fifty on tour. But more would be expected from Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza. The pair once again provided Zimbabwe a quick start but could not capitalise.Zimbabwe would want at least one of their openers to score a big innings•AFPTheir bowling, too, started well with Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara restricting the Bangladesh openers, but once Shakib and Mushfiqur opened up, they lost shape. The spinners too did not do justice to the slowness of the pitch.Bangladesh would now look to Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque to give them a better start, while also expecting Mominul Haque to cut away the cute shots and focus on scoring runs. Mashrafe would also hope that the pace attack doesn’t give away too many runs at the start.Zimbabwe have a lot to work on, but their goal is simpler. They would want to equalise instead of conceding a 2-0 lead before moving to Dhaka for the last three games.Form guide(last five completed games, most recent first)
Bangladesh WLLLL
Zimbabwe LLWLLIn the spotlightMushfiqur Rahim was said to be under-par in the Test series but through a rickety 65 in the first ODI, he has regained his touch. His wicketkeeping has not been great but he did take a leaping catch at a crucial stage of the match.Solomon Mire made his debut in the first game and though he did not contribute much with the ball or bat, he looks like one for the future. He has a promising bowling action and is a big hitter, exemplified by the one big six he struck during his short stay.Team newsBangladesh have opted to retain the same combination as the first ODI.Bangladesh (possible) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Arafat Sunny, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Al-Amin HossainVusi Sibanda’s form may be worrying the team management, in which case they could go for Timycen Maruma.Zimbabwe (possible) 1 Sikandar Raza, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Vusi Sibanda, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Regis Chakabva, 6 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 7 Solomon Mire, 8 Tinashe Panyangara, 9 Tendai Chatara, 10 Tafadzwa Kamungozi, 11 John NyumbuPitch and conditionsThe start has been advanced by an hour, to 12.30pm, which would mean a little less effect of the overpowering dew, benefiting both sides. Weather remains cool in Chittagong, so the team batting first will get the best of conditions on a flat, slow deck.Stats and trivia Shakib Al Hasan became the 12th player to score a hundred and take four wickets in the same ODI. He is also the fourth after Steve Waugh, Sanath Jayasuriya and Jacques Kallis to score 2000-plus runs and take 100 wickets at home. Brendan Taylor became the fourth Zimbabwe batsman to score 30 or more ODI fifties.Quotes”We lost too many wickets in the first 15 overs. We need to correct that and make sure to put up a better performance in the second game.”
“The year we have had, I don’t think one win will make us relaxed. We will be up and running in the second ODI.”