As Zimbabwe and Bangladesh square off, it will be interesting to see how Zimbabwe fare if Bangladesh is able to counter all-rounder Sikandar Raza’s batting and bowling. This year, Bangladesh has struggled to keep Raza quiet. In the T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh in July and August of this year, the all-rounder hit two fifties and two hundreds. For both bilateral tournaments, he was named Player of the Series.
Zimbabwe will face Bangladesh at the Gabba on Sunday in a Group 2 Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, fresh off a thrilling last-ball win over Pakistan in Perth on Thursday.
Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan by a run, giving the cricket world a match for the ages. The African team now has three points from two games and is only two points behind India and South Africa in Group 2. A semifinal spot for Zimbabwe appears difficult at the moment, but a win over Bangladesh will undoubtedly be devastating for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is in fourth place in Group 2, having suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of South Africa on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, if Bangladesh defeats Zimbabwe, the Shakib-al-Hasan-led team will move up to third place in the group.
However, the Bangladesh Tigers will not have it easy against Zimbabwe. After shocking Pakistan, Craig Ervine’s team would believe that anything is possible. Ervine will once again rely on all-rounder Sikandar Raza to deliver for the team. Raza has been playing like a man possessed in this tournament, scoring 145 runs and taking 8 wickets. In Zimbabwe’s four completed matches, the 36-year-old has won three Player of the Match awards.
While Raza has been the engine that has propelled Zimbabwe forward in this tournament, other players have also contributed. At the top of the order, Wesley Madhevere has delivered brisk knocks. Ervine scored a crucial fifty against Scotland during the tournament’s qualifying stage. Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara, and Richard Ngarava have also contributed with wickets, providing Raza with much-needed support.
Also see: T20 World Cup preview: India vs. South Africa
It will be interesting to see how Zimbabwe fare and how Bangladesh counters Raza’s batting and bowling. This year, Bangladesh has struggled to keep Raza quiet. In the T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh in July and August of this year, the all-rounder hit two fifties and two hundreds. For both bilateral tournaments, he was named Player of the Series.
Bangladesh bowlers would still be reeling from the aftereffects of the South African bowlers’ punishment. They can take heart from fast bowler Taskin Ahmed’s four-wicket haul against the Netherlands, which propelled the team to a historic victory. Mustafizur Rahman, the senior fast bowler, also did not allow more than 20 runs in his two completed spells against the Netherlands and South Africa.
Shakib has also taken some wickets. However, the Asian team’s batsmen have led the way in their two matches so far. So far in the tournament, no Bangladesh batsman has scored more than 40 runs.
Guide to Forms (last five matches)
- Bangladesh: L-W-L-L-L
- Zimbabwe: W-NR-W-L-W
- Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Head to head
- Matches played: 19
- Zimbabwe wins: 7
- Bangladesh wins: 12
Pitch
This is the first World Cup match at the Gabba. This competition will feature a newly laid track. Batting first teams have won four of the six T20Is in Brisbane, with an average first-innings score of 168.
Forecast for the weather
According to Accuweather, Brisbane will be warm with increasing cloudiness on Sunday Afternoon. However, there is little chance of rain, with a 1% chance of precipitation. The temperature will be 31°C in the afternoon.
Potential XIs
Wessley Madhevere, Craig Ervine (c), Milton Shumba, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani are the possible Zimbabwe XI.
Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud
Suggestions for top fantasy picks
- Craig Ervine, Wessley Madhevere, and Sean Williams are the batsmen.
- Shakib Al Hasan and Sikandar Raza are both all-rounders.
- Nurul Hasan is the wicketkeeper.
- Taskin Ahmed, Blessing Muzarabani, Mustafizur Rahman, and Brad Evans are the bowlers.
Odds on betting
- 2.50 Zimbabwe
- 1.53 Bangladesh
Where can I watch live TV?
The game starts at 8.30 a.m. IST. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network in India. The live-action can be viewed online via Disney+Hotstar.
