Following the Twenty20 international series, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will play a one-day international series. The BAN vs ZIM ODI Series 2022 is not a part of the ICC’s Cricket World Cup Super League, but it has importance for Bangladesh in order to organize the one-day squad for the mega event next year. Besides, captain Tamim Iqbal has a chance to set a new record if his team clinches the series. The expectations of the Bangladesh ODI team from this bilateral contest and their squad preview are discussed in this article.
Expectations from Bangladesh team in the 2022 ODI series against Zimbabwe
Bangladesh are only one win away from securing a spot in the ICC’s 50-over World Cup 2023. They won’t be able to achieve it in the upcoming bilateral contest as it is not a part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. However, there are a few other things the team Tigers can expect to accomplish in the BAN vs ZIM ODI Series 2022.
ICC ODI Rankings
Bangladesh are currently sitting in seventh place in the ICC’s ODI rankings with 98 points. They are only 3 rating points behind Australia and South Africa, respectively. Bangladesh won’t be able to overcome either of the teams even if they whitewash Zimbabwe in the series. However, they can certainly close the gap in rating points if they clinch the series 3-0.
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Bangladesh’s rating points will be 99 if they win all the fixtures of the ODI series. But they will lose 3 rating points if they fail to win any of the fixtures. Moreover, Bangladesh can move down to the eight spot if Zimbabwe clinches the series 3-0. The visiting team cannot treat any match lightly in order to maintain a strong position in the ODI rankings of the International Cricket Council.
Captain Tamim Iqbal is getting close to setting a record
Bangladesh’s ODI captain, Tamim Iqbal, equaled Mashrafe Mortaza’s record after winning the West Indies series last month. Both Tamim and Mashrafe have won five straight bilateral ODI series as captains. Tamim Iqbal will now get a chance to better the record if Bangladesh win this series against Zimbabwe. This is a great opportunity for him to hold the record by himself.
Bangladesh’s five straight ODI series wins under Mashrafe Mortaza’s captaincy
Series
Result
Year
Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI Series 2015
Bangladesh won the series by 3-0
April, 2015
Bangladesh vs India ODI Series 2015
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
June, 2015
Bangladesh vs South Africa ODI Series 2015
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
July, 2015
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI Series 2015
Bangladesh won the series by 3-0
November, 2015
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2015
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
September-October, 2016
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Read Is the future of ODI cricket in jeopardy?
Bangladesh’s five straight ODI series wins under Tamim Iqbal’s captaincy
Series
Result
Year
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2021
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
May, 2022
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI Series 2021
Bangladesh won the series by 3-0
July, 2021
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2022
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
February, 2022
Bangladesh vs South Africa ODI Series 2022
Bangladesh won the series by 2-1
March, 2022
Bangladesh vs West Indies ODI Series 2022
Bangladesh won the series by 3-0
July, 2022
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Notable approaching milestones for Bangladesh cricketers
Bangladesh cricketers can attain a few significant personal milestones during the 3-match BAN vs ZIM ODI Series 2022. These are the milestones that can be achieved during the forthcoming bilateral series.
5000 International Runs
Classical top order batter Litton Das is only 64 runs away from completing his 5,000 international runs for Bangladesh. He has 4,934 runs in 168 innings for Bangladesh.
Read BAN vs ZIM 2022: 5 Bangladeshi players who can capitalize on Zimbabwe series
8000 ODI Runs
In the Zimbabwe series, veteran opener Tamim Iqbal could become the first Bangladeshi batter to score 8,000 ODI runs. He has made 7,943 runs in 226 innings and only needs 57 runs to reach the milestone.
50 ODI fifties
Mr. Dependable Mushfiqur Rahim has 49 ODI fifties in 218 innings for Bangladesh. He is only one fifty shy of completing his 50 ODI fifties.
250 dismissals
Mushfiqur Rahim has 248 dismissals in the ODI format and needs only 2 more dismissals to complete 250.
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50 ODI matches
Right-arm medium pacer Taskin Ahmed is one match away from completing his 50 ODI appearances for Bangladesh.
Preview of Bangladesh’s ODI squad
The BCB selectors named a 16-member ODI squad for the Zimbabwe series, excluding all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has been given rest for the tour. Wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan was part of the squad but wouldn’t be available in the series after sustaining an injury to his left index finger while playing the second T20I against Zimbabwe.
Veteran middle-order batter Mushfiqur Rahim will make an international comeback after missing out on playing the West Indies series due to the Hajj pilgrimage. The young right-arm medium pacer Hasan Mahmud was included in the squad, who last featured against New Zealand in March 2021. Over the past 12 months, the talented pacer has experienced a variety of injuries.
Read Mosaddek takes five-wicket haul as Bangladesh look to bounce back against Zimbabwe
Bangladesh squad for the 2022 ODI series against Zimbabwe
Tamim Iqbal (captain), Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed.
Top-order (batting)
Bangladesh have four alternatives for their top-order batting lineup, including skipper Tamim Iqbal. Among them, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Anamul Haque are fighting for a permanent place in the team. This 3-match series may well be Anamul’s last opportunity to showcase his talent once more on the international stage. Therefore, Anamul should seize the chance to obtain the selectors’ affection.
Middle-order (batting)
Mushfiqur Rahim’s return to the squad will strengthen the Bangladesh middle-order. Besides, Riyad, Afif, and Mosaddek’s main responsibility will be to accelerate the run rates in the death overs. Young Afif has already proved his capability as a batter, but Mosaddek’s place in the Bangladesh national team setup has been a bit shaky. Mosaddek needs to make some vital contributions in the series to cement his place in the national side.
Read Bangladesh level series with comfortable win
Pace (bowling)
The selectors included four genuine pacers for the series, and all of them are capable match winners. Skipper Tamim Iqbal’s ideal picks would be Mustafizur, Taskin, and Shoriful. If Hasan Mahmud is given a chance and demonstrates his true potential, Tamim will face a dilemma when picking the top two pacers for the starting XI.
Spin (bowling)
For Zimbabwe, constructing a playing XI with two genuine spinners could be an ideal decision. That is why the selectors included three spinners – Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The off-spinner Miraz is a regular member of the ODI setup. Therefore, anyone between Taijul and Nasum will be picked for the playing XI. Both had commendable performances in the recent West Indies series and had a valid reason to be picked for the team.
Aftermath
Bangladesh’s recent ODI results have been pretty impressive, winning fifteen of twenty-one matches since last year. They have also won six out of seven ODI series since January 2021. In contrast, Zimbabwe have only won two matches out of twelve and haven’t won a series since January last year. As a result, Bangladesh will be a heavy favourite to win the upcoming BAN vs ZIM ODI Series 2022.
Source: United News of Bangladesh