The high-flying Tigers are keen to set their record straight in the international Twenty20 arena as they now shift focus from their ODI successes to the shortest format of the game. Only 12 wins from 44 attempts says a lot about Bangladesh’s struggle in T20Is, but after an unforgettable run in the ODIs this season, it is the best time for the hosts to grow their performance.
The Tigers, who mauled the hapless visitors 3-0 in the just-concluded ODI series, are undoubtedly the favourites as the first T20I of the two-match series will take centre stage at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
The importance of the short series has increased manifold due to the 2016 ICC World T20 which is scheduled to be hosted by India as both sides will look to adopt a winning combination ahead of the mega tournament.
While Bangladesh have become the team-to-beat in 50-over cricket, winning four bilateral series against major nations, their potential has not risen as expected in the T20Is, although they did come out winners in their only match against Pakistan this year.
The Tigers are more of a unit now and not a one-man-show, but still the services of the world’s No 1 all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who is on paternity leave, will be missed.
This however, also opens up a window of opportunity for Chandika Hathurusingha and Mashrafe bin Mortaza to tinker with their combination and hand the newbies a place in the line-up from the unchanged squad.
For Zimbabwe, batting has been their main concern. The side is definitely missing their experienced batsman Hamilton Masakadza who has plenty of good memories from playing in Bangladesh previously. Zimbabwe lost a home series to Afghanistan prior to their tour to Bangladesh. The visiting captain Elton Chigumbura can be optimistic of their chances in the shortest format after the dreadful results, but he too knows that it is a lot of asking from their misfiring batsmen.