 Here are two teams, one is pushing to gain Test status and the other is trying
desperately to justify its Test status. There is one thing common in both teams;
they are both on the ascendancy. Zimbabwe have impressed more than Bangladesh
in recent times.
Click for Live Score Card of Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe
The five match series kicks off with the opener at Dhaka on Wednesday 1st December.
Bangladesh will have home crowd right behind them. Fresh from a memorable series
win against New Zealand, their first against a major team, Bangladesh would
want to build on that success. Shakib al Hasan will be the key player
as the conditions in Dhaka would be slow.
Bangladesh have decent spinners like Hasan, Razzak and Hossain but lack quality
fast bowlers. Before World Cup Bangladesh would want to win as much as they
can, hoping to progress to the second round like they did in 2007.
Bangladesh have shown glimpses of promise in the past, like beating India and
Pakistan in World Cups and upsetting Australia in an ODI but they haven't been
able to construct a form. They falter badly after successes. Bangladesh fans
would be hoping that this time it is a different story. The curtain raiser would
be a day night game at Dhaka, Bangladesh would be relying heavily on their spinners
and batsmen to make them successful on Wednesday.
Bangladesh have won four out of last five ODIs
Zimbabwe is probably the most threatening 'minnow' team in the world today.
They have upset India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and even Australia recently.
Skill and discipline is not their only asset, they count heavily on their ambition,
which is to gain Test status next year.
They don't have a decent fast bowling attack, but they are a team which are
seriously eyeing Test status and have pleasantly surprised many fans in the
world. There are some changes in the squad to one that toured South Africa.
Grant Flower is not a part of the squad.
While Mashonaland Eagles allrounder Ryan Butterworth has earned a call up to
the national side. Ray Price is also back in the international mold after being
absent in the last tour. Keegan Meth, the paceman makes an international
return after nearly four years. Youngster Regis Chakabva, who has only played
one game for Zimbabwe is also in the squad. Reasonable talent is there, they
just hope it fires in Dhaka. Elton Chigumbura would lead the team which
holds the threatening bowler in Bangladesh conditions Prosper Utseya.
Zimbabwe have won one of their last five ODI games.
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