The 5-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will kick off on 3rd May at Chattogram. This will be the last series before Bangladesh’s tour to the USA for a T20I series. Tigers lost their last T20I series against Sri Lanka this March after remaining unbeaten for four series at home. Therefore, they would look toward this series to gather the lost momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Preparatory Bangladesh Squad for Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I series 2024
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Soumya Sarkar.
Zimbabwe have already announced their squad and presumably will reach Bangladesh on 28th April. Bangladesh is expected to announce their final squad on the same day.
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Analysis of Bangladesh squad against Zimbabwe
Mustafizur Rahman is expected to join the squad after 1st May when his commitment with the IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings ends as per the NOC given by BCB. Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan is expected to return with this series after the World Cup 2023.
The squad has kept plenty of options in all positions. It indicates that Bangladesh will focus on testing and experimenting with as many players as possible to make a strong team for the World T20.
The opening pair of Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar, which had been misfiring for some time, have to be at their absolute best to keep a place in the team. Or else, youngsters like Tanzid Tamim and Parvez Emon are ready to pounce on the opportunity to replace them.
Tanzid Tamim played a brilliant knock of 84 (81) in his last international innings against Sri Lanka this March. He is waiting for his international debut in this format and feels confident after a good BPL campaign.
Parvez Emon has played only a single T20I for Bangladesh. This time after a tremendous BPL campaign, where he is the highest scorer as of now with three centuries from 13 innings, he has been given a chance because of his fiery nature in the top of the innings.
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Another important part to focus on the Bangladesh squad is the middle and lower-middle order which will see stiff competition for a place. In the last T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Bangladesh squad included Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, and Rishad Hossain playing brilliantly.
This time with the addition of Mohammad Saifuddin, who also is a great addition to the pace bowling department, and the likes of Tawhid Hridoy and Mahedi Hasan already being there provide Bangladesh great balance and flexibility in the middle and lower-middle order.
Bangladesh get a good core of all-rounders if we look at them individually. Off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan, leg-spinning all-rounder Rishad Hossain, and a seaming all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin already provide a great variety. Besides, the addition of Shakib Al Hasan will provide greater dynamics to the team. Also, Soumya Sarkar can be effective as an all-rounder as well.
The bowling department didn’t see much chop and change with the regular faces of seamers and spinners in Taskin, Shoriful, Sakib, Hasan, and Tanvir. The addition of Mustafiz is also pretty regular in the squad.
However, with so many seaming options, it can be expected that Bangladesh is unlikely to go with a traditional spin-friendly wicket and will try their expertise in a more sporting or batting-friendly one.
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Key Players to watch in the Bangladesh Squad
Litton Das
Litton Das has been a key factor for Bangladesh doing well in the T20Is last year. He has scored 323 runs in the 9 innings with an average of 40.37 and a strike rate of 137.44. It’s not only the score, his performance proved fruitful for the team. In several matches, he brought Bangladesh quick-firing explosive starts and utilized the power play well.
However, he has been misfiring since the turn of the calendar and has not been able to find his ground. It is important for the Bangladesh team for him to turn up with the bat at the start of the innings. This Zimbabwe series seems to be a perfect opportunity for that and all eyes would be on him to observe if he’s successful in that or not.
Jaker Ali Anik
Jaker Ali Anik has played only two innings with the Bangladesh team and has won the hearts of the fans with that. His debut innings of 68(34) has been one of the best at debut for Bangladesh. The fans have liked his big and pinch-hitting capabilities and see him as a ray of hope in the no. 6/7 position where Bangladesh have been struggling all these years. Thus, ahead of the World T20, the fans would want to see some blistering innings from him against Zimbabwe.
Rishad Hossain
Another player who has won the hearts of fans with his big-hitting capabilities is Rishad Hossain. He only faced 70 balls in T20I and ODI combined and hit 12 sixes. Furthermore, his leg-spin profile has also been something Bangladesh fans have wished for a long time. He has taken six wickets till now in T20Is. Everyone from fans to team management would expect him to excel in both roles.
Mohammad Saifuddin
Mohammad Saifuddin has been out for a long time due to injury and has now earned a call to the national team again after some good performances in the BPL and DPL 2024. He has always been known for his hard-hitting capabilities with the bat. With bowl, he was one of the most trusted in both the opening and the death overs. Therefore, his proper comeback will be a huge boost for the team both morally and tactically. Hence, everyone will be wishing for his comeback in this series.
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Final Words
The series against Zimbabwe can be a great scope for Bangladesh to fix their limitations and do necessary experiments on the team. The BAN vs ZIM T20I series 2024 series will play a crucial role in selecting the squad for the T20 World Cup in June 2024. Therefore, the expectation remains for everyone to give their best in this series.