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| Mushfiq - Tamim - Imrul |
As far as the shortest version of the game of cricket is concerned, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are undoubtedly the most inexperienced sides among all the Test playing nations. Even over the last one decade since T20 cricket’s coming into big picture, these two sides have played fewer Twenty20s than Ireland at the international level.
So when it comes about Twenty20 cricket, neither Bangladesh nor Zimbabwe could be unprecedentedly considered favorites. Cricket is a funny game, and the more short it becomes, the more funny it gets. So despite Bangladesh clearly being ahead of their Zimbabwean counterparts in the other two formats of the game, ahead of the first Twenty20 match to be played on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, it’s more going to be a fifty-fifty affair, with both the sides having their chances to make the day theirs.
While this will be a perfect opportunity for the visitors to redeem themselves, Bangladesh will also take it as a tough challenge to break their ever-present Twenty20 jinx. However the history doesn’t favour any of the sides. Zimbabwe lost in all of their last five appearances in Twenty20 cricket. Bangladesh’s condition is not much better either; they lost as many as four of their last five games as against their solitary victory over Pakistan in April this year.
Just like said before, this is going to be a tough challenge for the Tigers. And so does think their super captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. Ahead of the match on Friday, the Narail Expressed his desire to win this match so that they can nail down a team combination before the World T20, to be held in India in March next year.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura also doesn’t consider this game any less important. So far this tour has been nothing but a disappointment for the tourists. Only what can change the scenario is a win, a much needed win. And that’s why Chigu is thinking of win and only win, something that can resurrect the tour for them.
Bangladesh Probable XI :
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain/Kamrul Islam Rabbi
