In their landmark 400th ODI, Bangladesh were asked to bat by hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club today.
Things have not gone Bangladesh's way in this series as the Tigers, who have now lost the toss for the third time in a row, face the challenge of avoiding a humiliating series whitewash against a side ranked eight places below them in the ODI rankings. The Tamim Iqbal-led side trail the three-match series 2-0.
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Bangladesh made two changes from their last ODI with Ebadot Hossain making his ODI debut and Mustafizur Rahman also starting. Pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam have been rested for the game.
In the first two ODIs that Bangladesh had lost by the same margin of five wickets, the Tigers had Zimbabwe reeling after picking up early wickets. But Zimbabwe prevailed and emerged as convincing winners on both occasions.
Sikandar Raza scored unbeaten hundreds in both the ODIs and had the support of two other centurions -- Innocent Kaia in the first match and stand-in skipper Regis Chakabva in the following one -- to help Zimbabwe fightback from 62 for three and 49 for four and chase down stiff targets of 304 and 291 in the first and second ODI, respectively.
With Regis Chakabva sitting out, the hero of the first two ODIs, Raza, is captaining Zimbabwe today.
Bangladesh lost the preceding T20I series 2-1 and the Tigers would definitely want to end their tour on a sweet note with a win in their most preferred format.
Playing XI:
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal*, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
Zimbabwe: T Marumani, T Kaitano, I Kaia, W Madhevere, Sikandar Raza*, C Madande†, T Munyonga, B Evans, TL Chivanga, VM Nyauchi, R Ngarava
