Bangladesh 50/0 in 9.0 Overs | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Live Score, 3rd ODI
Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Live Score, 3rd ODI: Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bowl first over Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
After losing their first two matches, Bangladesh will be hoping to salvage some pride while Zimbabwe look to complete the series 3-0.
Miraz wants batting improvement
Explaining his decision to play first, Miraz admitted that Bangladesh were disappointed with their performance in the previous game, but insisted that the team had moved on.
“We will bowl first. The way we bowled in the last game, a bit disappointing, but that is in the past and we are thinking about the next game.”
The Bangladesh captain emphasized the need for a better partnership with the bat.
“I think we need a partnership at the top and then at the back. So we made a few mistakes but we can think of the positives and we know the conditions now because we’ve played two games. I think we didn’t bat well in the last game.”
Bangladesh made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanvir Islam.
“We have two changes. Saifuddin is in it. Tanvir is in it,” Miraz added.
Raza is confident of completing a clean sweep
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has revealed that Richard Ngarava has been rested as part of managing his workload.
“Richard is fine. I think it’s one of those principles that we have to manage to manage our workload. If you look at Richard’s history from the back and also the games he’s played, it was important to give him a rest as well. So we left him today along with the other guys.”
Raza credited the positive atmosphere in the dressing room for Zimbabwe’s success in the series so far.
“The confidence, the mood and the culture we have in the dressing room. I think all those things add to what you see and what everyone else sees on the park. Everyone is in a very good headspace, everyone feels confident and today’s game is another opportunity for all of us to show our skills and try to close the series 3-0.”
He also spoke about the challenge of batting on winter pitches in Harare.
“I think playing at the Sports Club, especially in the winter, I think it will always be very difficult against the new ball. But I think credit also goes to our guys from the first game. They improved a lot in the second and today I’m very sure there will be even more improvement in the third. We’re learning on our feet and today I think it’s basically a challenge to dominate Harets.”
Zimbabwe also made three changes to the side.
“So we’ve got Nyamhuri, who’s picked up a niggle, he’s out. And of course we deal with the bowlers’ workload. Two seamers come in, Nesto and Chivanga, and Wellington comes in as Nyamhuri’s replacement. So to add two seamers and a spinner.”
Field report
The pitch at the Harare Sports Club is expected to offer relief to both batsmen and bowlers.
“The surface looks good, but there’s a lot of grass and it’s been rolled and you can just see the color of the surface has changed because of the amount of rolling that’s gotten there. But there’s a thick, good cover of grass. But again, it’s all about your application.”
Playing XI
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanvir Islam.
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Tanaka Chivanga.