Deadline: September 18, 2019 at 6 PM IST
Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Pitch report
In 17 T20Is, teams have managed to chase down a target successfully only 7 times at Chattogram. The pitch deteriorates as the match progresses, making it difficult for the batsmen to hit big shots. Pick most batsmen from the team batting first.
Weather forecast
Heavy rainfall is expected a day before the match, dampening the outfield and also forcing the players to train indoors. On the match day, however, the precipitation is forecasted to shoot down to 20%, reducing the number of interruptions.
Teams
In order to boost their top-order, Bangladesh are likely to play Mohammad Naim at the expense of Liton Das or Soumya Sarkar.
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Liton Das/Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar/Mohammad Naim, Sabbir Rahman, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Probable XI for Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (wk), Hamilton Masakadza (c), Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Neville Madziva, Kyle Jarvis/Chris Mpofu, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tendai Chatara
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ names to get the data while making your fantasy team.
My 11: Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Regis Chakabva, Hamilton Masakadza, Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Ryan Burl, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin (c), Tendai Chatara
Players to watch out for
After conceding 49 in 4 overs, Shakib Al Hasan made amends in the second match. He got rid of Hazratullah Zazai and Najibullah Zadran, two of the most dangerous Afghanistani batsmen, and conceded a mere 18 runs. He, however, has not looked the same batsman as he was in the World Cup. Perhaps the shortest format does not give him enough time to get his eye in.
Mohammad Saifuddin continues to be Bangladesh’s best pacer, even eclipsing Mustafizur Rahman. He is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, collecting 5 scalps in 2 matches.
For Zimbabwe, Tendai Chatara has taken the bulk of the wickets (4).
Ryan Burl and Afif Hossain scored fifties at crucial junctures in the previous T20I between these teams. The team management might as well promote them to the middle-order.
Match prediction
Zimbabwe had reduced Bangladesh to 60 for 6 in a pursuit of 148 runs. The game was theirs to win until Afif Hossain fought tooth and nail and changed the course of the match.
Both teams, however, have lost a match each against Afghanistan. Neither Bangladesh nor Zimbabwe look confident, but the home team have variety in their bowling. Bangladesh manage to stage a comeback even if one of their mainstay bowlers has a bad day.
Squads
Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Yeasin Arafat
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza (c), Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Ryan Burl, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tony Munyonga, Regis Chakabva, Richmond Mutumbami, Brendan Taylor (wk), Neville Madziva, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Ainsley Ndlovu
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket