Zimbabwe seek to end tour on a high

Match facts

November 15, 2015

Start time: 17:00 local (1100 GMT)

Big Picture

The first T20 on Friday is reason enough to believe that the second game on Sunday would be another close one. Zimbabwe presented a strong defence after registering a below-par score, reducing Bangladesh to 80 for five, but ultimately 131 was never a great challenge for the hosts. At the end of the game, Malcolm Waller said Zimbabwe had to make a bigger total should they bat first again.

The home side also have a few worries of their own. Bangladesh started very well with the ball and although they copped some hammering from Waller in the middle overs, they also fought back well. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Al-Amin Hossain were disciplined and effective.

But the batting line-up must be looked into, again. Anamul Haque was run-out, Sabbir Rahman's promotion was a talking point while the fact that Mahmudullah and Liton Das had to deal with a late chase was a question-mark. Sabbir is a natural striker of the ball so possibly the management wanted him to take advantage of the fielding restrictions of the first six overs, but given that he is also a good runner between the wickets and has a knack of finding gaps he remains a handy option down the order. Liton and Mahmudullah couldn't finish the job together as Mashrafe had to strike a couple of big hits to ensure the win.

Zimbabwe still remain a team with iffy batting form, despite promoting Sikandar Raza up the order. But it is a positive move, one that might pay off in the second game, their last chance to redeem themselves on the tour.

Form guide

Last five completed matches, most recent first

Bangladesh WLLWL

Zimbabwe LLLLL

In the spotlight

After his six-hitting spree, Bangladesh will look at Malcolm Waller as the danger man in the second T20. He may have to look for new areas to land his big hits, which will be critical for Zimbabwe.

It is now safe to say Al-Amin Hossain has made a successful comeback to international cricket. He remains a background man, proving important breakthroughs and keeping things tight from his end.

Team news

Anamul Haque is likely to get another go while Arafat Sunny and Kamrul Islam Rabbi can now expect a game too, given that Bangladesh are looking for a T20 combination suited for these conditions.

Bangladesh (likely XI): Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Al-Amin Hossain, Jubair Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

John Nyumbu and Wellington Masakadza are still without a game, while Zimbabwe dropped Chamu Chibhabha and Taurai Muzarabani in the first T20. If they opt for a change, the offspinner Nyumbu might be worth trying out.

Zimbabwe (likely XI): Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer, Tendai Chisoro, Tinashe Panyangara, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva

Pitch and conditions

Malcolm Waller said the ball kept low at times on the Shere Bangla surface. It remains a 150-160 pitch for teams batting first, but there was evidence that if a batsman wanted to target the shortened boundaries it was hard to stop. The weather has been pleasant with cooler temperatures.

Stats and trivia

The first game wasn't just Jubair Hossain's first T20 international, but his first T20 at any competitive level.

Friday was the first time that Tinashe Panyangara went wicketless in an international match since the ODI against Afghanistan on October 22.

Quotes

Mashrafe Mortaza: "This [second T20] could be the last chance for us to see how some of new players react under pressure [in this format]."

Malcolm Waller: "In the next game, we need a lot more runs on the board and bowl well and have a good start and make things easier for ourselves."