Tigers eye series win

Mahmudullah Riyad's inclusion in the T20I squad dominated headlines on the eve of Bangladesh's series-deciding game against Zimbabwe today as the 36-year-old came in as replacement for injured skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan but was not handed the captaincy, with the BCB instead opting to entrust Mosaddek Hossain with the duty.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board rested Mahmudullah, the T20I captain, for the three-match series against Zimbabwe and handed Sohan the responsibility with the aim to provide freedom and exposure to a relatively new-look Bangladesh side.

Following a 17-run defeat in the first game, Bangladesh bounced back courtesy of Mosaddek's maiden five-wicket haul

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in T20Is, which was also the fourth five-wicket haul by a Bangladeshi bowler in T20Is. The visitors restricted Zimbabwe to 135 for eight and, in reply, Liton Das struck a fifty as the Tigers won by seven wickets.

With Nurul ruled out of the series, Mahmudullah could well replace him in the playing eleven in a familiar role of finisher. The Tigers team management may also tinker with the top order for the series deciding-encounter in Harare.

Young left-handed opener Parvez Hossain Emon is likely to make his T20I debut in place of opener Munim Shahriar, who failed to have an impact in the first two games against Zimbabwe with scores of seven and four respectively. Prior to the Zimbabwe series, the right-handed opener scored 23 runs in three games after making his debut earlier this year.

The visitors will be keen to keep their flawless record against Zimbabwe intact, having never lost a bilateral T20I series against the African nation.