We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I
The average first and second innings scores at the Harare Sports Club read 157 and 136 respectively. The team batting first has won 21 of 32 T20Is.
Time: July 30, 4:30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs for Zimbabwe & Bangladesh
Probable XI for Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Afif Hossain, Munim Shahriar, Nurul Hasan (c & wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed
Power Players for the Match
Litton Das averages 48 against Zimbabwe compared to his overall average of 20 in T20Is. His last three scores against them read 38, 59, and 60*. On the tour of West Indies, he scored a fifty and two thirties in six white-ball games.
The onus of laying a strong foundation will be on Regis Chakabva. He has the highest score of 43 and 48 against Bangladesh in the format. In his last five T20Is, he has scored two thirties and two twenties.
Mustafizur Rahman has had a good year in T20s. He was the highest wicket-taker (19 in 11 games) in the Bangladesh T20 League and took eight wickets in as many games in the Indian T20 League.
The All-Round Show
Sikandar Raza was the highest run-scorer (228 runs at 57) and the leading wicket-taker (5 wickets at 14) for Zimbabwe in the recently concluded T20 Qualifier.
In addition to his off-breaks, Mahedi Hasan can also pack a punch with the bat at No.8. He has the highest score of 92 in T20 cricket. We have also seen him getting promoted to No.3 on a few occasions.
Sean Williams has scored two fifties and a thirty in his last five T20Is, during which he also took three wickets.
Smart Picks for the Match
Afif Hossain’s one of two T20I fifties has come against Zimbabwe. On the tour of West Indies, his T20I scores read 0, 34, and 50. He has a reputation of thriving under pressure. He also has a happy knack of breaking partnerships.
After a fantastic performance in 2021, Craig Ervine has been blowing hot and cold this year. He has one fifty and two thirties in 12 T20Is. For Zimbabwe to provide a steady start, their captain will need to up the ante.
In the absence of prime fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe will lead the pace department. He has taken 45 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 14 in 35 T20Is. Against Bangladesh, he has the best figures of 3 for 31.
Mehidy Hasan last played a T20I in 2018. With Shakib Al Hasan opting out and Bangladesh playing without senior members, Mehidy will play a crucial role. His recent form is encouraging for fantasy players. He took seven wickets in three ODIs against the West Indies.
Also Read:
West Indies vs India, 1st T20I: Fantasy Cricket Tips
Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Match Preview
Zimbabwe come fresh from an emphatic victory in the T20 Qualifiers 2022 and will be confident going into the series. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be without their key players and have a new leader at the helm. The result of the series is something only time can tell, but for what it’s worth, the fantasy players have exciting cricketers to choose from.
As far as the head-to-head numbers are concerned, Bangladesh have won only one match more than Zimbabwe, that is, eight of 15 completed T20Is.