Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BAN vs ZIM 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs ZIM 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Dream11 | BAN vs ZIM 1st T20I Key Players | Mirpur Pitch Report

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe may play each other often, but what you often get is a competitive battle between two sides who know each other well.

However, Zimbabwe’s tour of Bangladesh in 2020, except for the second ODI, has been very one-sided. Bangladesh have won every match, which has included record-breaking scores, huge margins of victory and sheer dominance. Now, they return to a format in which they have largely struggled in over the years, so getting things right with the World T20 just months away is key.

Zimbabwe, depleted and down on confidence, have struggled. There is no World T20 to look forward to for them, but rather, the search for the winning feeling in what has been a fruitless tour so far. They have enjoyed some success in T20 cricket in Bangladesh in the last few years, so can they bridge the gap between the sides in the game’s shortest format?

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Liton Das blew Zimbabwe away in the ODI series. He is coming off the highest score by a Bangladeshi (176), as well as a century in the first game of the series.
• Liton put on a record opening stand for Bangladesh (292) with Tamim Iqbal, who hit two centuries in the last two ODIs.
• Sean Williams has the most T20I runs out of any player in Zimbabwe’s squad (821). However, Zimbabwe need Williams to improve his poor record vs Bangladesh (120 runs, avg. 12.00).
• Mushfiqur Rahim is yet to score a T20I fifty vs Zimbabwe (9 matches, 140 runs, avg. 17.50). Can he go big today?
• Mahmudullah has a superb record in T20Is at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur: 21 games, 463 runs, avg. 51.44, SR: 137.38.
• Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe’s highest run-scorer in the ODI series (145, avg. 48.33, SR 104.31). Wesley Madhevere was next with 129 (avg. 43.00), but is yet to play a T20.
• Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine must lead from the front for Zimbabwe. They average just 13.20 and 15.33 vs Bangladesh respectively.
• Mustafizur Rahman has the most wickets of any player in BAN-ZIM T20Is out of the two squads (10 in six games, avg. 13.40).
• Mohammad Saifuddin adds balance to the Bangladesh team. He took the most wickets in the ODI series (7).
• If Bangladesh pick Al-Amin Hossain, they will be picking the highest wicket-taker in T20Is on this ground (25 in 13 games). However, his death bowling is a concern.
• Carl Mumba took the most wickets in a difficult ODI series for Zimbabwe (6 in 3 matches).

Stats and Facts

• Bangladesh have a 7-4 record vs Zimbabwe in T20Is.
• Bangladesh won have two of three matches against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
• Zimbabwe won their last T20I in Bangladesh, beating Afghanistan in Hamilton Masakadza’s last game back in September 2019.
• Afif Hossain hit 52 (26) to get Bangladesh over the line in their last T20I vs Zimbabwe on this ground.

Possible Playing 11

A few questions for Bangladesh, particularly on the bowling front. It could be a battle between Aminul Islam and Nasum Ahmed for a spinners’ spot. Also, Al-Amin Hossain could play given his good record on this ground.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das (wk), 3. Mohammad Naim, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Afif Hossain, 7. Mohammad Saifuddin, 8. Mahedi Hasan, 9. Aminul Islam/Nasum Ahmed, 10. Shafiul Islam/Al-Amin Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Craig Ervine has recovered for Zimbabwe and will be key.

Zimbabwe: 1. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 2. Regis Chakabva, 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Brendan Taylor (wk), 5. Sean Williams, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Wesley Madhevere, 8. Richmond Mutumbami/ Charlton Tshuma, 9. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, 10. Donald Tiripano, 11. Carl Mumba

Mirpur Pitch Report and Conditions

The weather forecast is clear for Monday evening. In terms of the pitch, the Mirpur track can be a very good one for batting, particularly against the hard, new ball.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Bangladesh are all over Zimbabwe at the moment. The short format might suit Zimbabwe more than Tests or ODIs, but Bangladesh, at home, should be too good once again.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!