Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Ban T20 Tri-Series Match 1: BAN vs ZIM Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11 Prediction. Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are two sides who know each other well. After all, these two sides coming together is one of world cricket’s more frequent rivalries.

However, they meet now with stability the main agenda item. Inconsistency and external factors have plagued their fortunes, where both sides have struggled for T20 form over the past few years.

Six wins in their past 22 T20Is since the beginning of 2017 makes sorry reading for Bangladesh. They are still yet to decode the format as well as they have in ODIs, with their often shot-a-ball approach failing them time and time again. Couple this with a bad Test defeat to Afghanistan, a reluctant captain and a bowling attack that is constantly changing in personnel, and things don’t always look too rosy for the Tigers. A win here will calm things down a little, just as Shakib wanted in the Afghanistan Test.

In the opposite corner, Zimbabwe are down and out for the count. But, they will not remain down for long. Their desire to continue to play on, despite the ICC suspension in place, is an incredible display of love for the game. However, just as the case off the field, Zimbabwe have struggled on it, winning just three of their past 16 T20Is, which included a run of 11 straight losses before beating Netherlands in June. Will it be they who kick off the Tri-Series with a win and begin Hamilton Masakadza’s farewell in style?

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Key to a Bangladesh win

Spin has been a major weapon in Bangladesh’s arsenal against Zimbabwe at home in all formats. Shakib Al Hasan is the team’s leading wicket-taker against Zimbabwe in T20Is with 12, and the likes of Taijul Islam have also enjoyed success against their rivals on home soil. Spin will again be key, along with Bangladesh’s pace stocks, spearheaded by Mustafizur Rahman, who was in the wickets in the recently concluded World Cup. Can Bangladesh make a strong start in the powerplay, where they can often struggle in white-ball cricket, then backed by strong middle and death-over periods?

However, batting is an area Bangladesh have struggled with in T20Is. Their lack of strike rotation is an area for improvement if they are both qualify and compete in the World T20 main stage next year, with boundary, dot or out currently a common theme in their batting. With Tamim Iqbal still rested, Liton Das is one to watch out for after a solid year in 2018, along with Soumya Sarkar who simply must start converting his starts into something more substantial. A good start then sets things up for Bangladesh’s experienced middle order to build on.

Key to a Zimbabwe win

It has been a very glum 2019 for Zimbabwe. Along with watching the World Cup from the sidelines after heartbreak in 2018, they struggled in Europe vs Netherlands and Ireland before the news of their suspension. However, after originally opting out of Bangladesh for this Tri-Series, Zimbabwe then decided to do what it takes to keep cricket alive in the country. Can they translate this incredible attitude to the batting crease, putting aside all distractions to overcome Bangladesh’s attack that is often potent in home conditions? Can Hamilton Masakadza overcome his recent poor form to get Zimbabwe off to a flyer, with the likes of Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine to follow?

Also, much rests on Zimbabwe’s bowling attack. Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara have both enjoyed some success against Bangladesh in the past, and both will be key particularly in the powerplay and death overs. In between, Zimbabwe’s group of spinners, including the all-rounders, have a key role to play in building dot ball pressure against the Bangladeshi batsmen who love to deal in boundaries.

Possible Playing 11

19-year old all-rounder Afif Hossain has been in good touch for Bangladesh’s emerging teams in 2019. He could lineup ahead of Mosaddek Hossain.

Bangladesh: 1. Liton Das, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Sabbir Rahman, 4. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 5. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mohammad Saifuddin, 8. Afif Hossain, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Yeasin Arafat

Zimbabwe: 1. Hamilton Masakadza (c), 2. Brendan Taylor (wk), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Sean Williams, 5. Timycen Maruma, 6. Ryan Burl, 7. Tino Mutombodzi, 8. Neville Madziva, 9. Kyle Jarvis, 10. Ainsley Ndlovu, 11. Tendai Chatara

Pitch and conditions

The pitch in Mirpur has been good for batting in T20Is in recent years. However, there is a strong chance of rain which could influence the decision at the toss.

Stats and Facts

• Hamilton Masakadza’s 1529 runs in this format are the most by a Zimbabwean. However, Craig Ervine has been Zimbabwe’s best over the past year, with 211 runs at 70.33.
• Zimbabwe won the last T20I they played in Dhaka, in a thrilling last-over finish.
• Shakib Al Hasan has the most runs and wickets for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in T20Is (185 runs at 37.00 and 12 wickets at 17.50).
• Zimbabwe won their tour match vs BCB XI by seven wickets. Brendan Taylor top scored with 57*, and Timycen Maruma finished beautifully with 46* off 28 balls.

Fantasy Cricket Prediction

MyTeam11 (regular) Prediction: Brendan Taylor (wk), Liton Das, Craig Ervine, Timycen Maruma, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Sean Williams (vc), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Kyle Jarvis, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction:

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

With Afghanistan a dangerous opponent in this Tri-Series, a win first up is important both these teams. At home, Bangladesh might have a little too much for Zimbabwe in the first game, provided the weather allows for a result.

Thanks for reading!

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