Tigers aim to maintain momentum in T20Is against Zimbabwe

Confident Bangladesh are looking forward to start the three match T20I series on a winning note when they face hosts Zimbabwe during their first T20I match at Harare Sports Club at Harare on Thursday. 

Bangladesh have already won the one off Test series 1-0 and secure ODI series 3-0 against the home side.

Tigers captain Mahmudullah is having a relatively young side this time around as experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal are not playing the T20I series. 

Mushfiq played the one off test match but did not take part in the ODI series and returned home due to personal reasons.

While left hand opener Tamim missed the Test match due to injury but played the ODI series where he scored 0, 20 and 112. 

Tamim is suffering with his troublesome knee and are advised to take at least six to eight-week rest. 

Tamim will miss the three T20Is against hosts Zimbabwe on July 22, 23 and 25 respectively and is also set to miss the home fixtures against Australia and New Zealandhttps://t.co/RgZd6Cjm4k

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 20, 2021

Meanwhile ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has returned to the T20 squad for Tigers and all eyes will be on him as Shakib last played a T20I for Bangladesh during September, 2019. 

Shakib is in good form with bat and ball in the ODI series as he was adjudged man of the match after scoring 145 runs and taking eight wickets from three matches. 

All-rounder Shakib was elected man of the series with third most runs and most wickets in the serieshttps://t.co/ItnNNqtyBy

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 20, 2021

Uncapped Shamim Hossain might get a chance in the playing eleven as the left hander impressed with his performance in the recently concluded domestic T20 tournament. 

Also Read: Watch: Tigers celebrating Eid-ul-Azha in Harare

Wicket keeper batsman Nurul Hasan Sohan might get picked in the playing eleven as well as he was in superb form also  in the last domestic T20 tournament. Sohan got chance in the third ODI and played a brilliant 45 run innings during a crucial period while chasing 299. 

These three T20Is will be a good preparation for Bangladesh ahead of their busy T20I fixture in coming months as Tigers will play against Australia, New Zealand and England at home. 

The is no doubt that Bangladesh need to play solid cricket to win the T20I series as Zimbabwe are always a tricky opposition at their home turf.  

The match will start from 4:30pm, Bangladesh Time, on Thursday. 

Bangladesh T20I squad

Mahmudullah (C), Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Liton Das, Shakib al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shariful Islam