Mashrafee led tiger squad would launch a fresh encounter will lowly Zimbabwe which just lost ODI and T20 series against emerging Afghanistan at home. 

Bangladesh was due to play tests against Australia but that series was postponed initially and deferred later in excuse of security concern of Australian government. The situation, however, did not deter Zimbabwe sending their team.

Not too in the distant past, Bangladesh comprehensively white washed Zimbabwe in all formats. But the ensuing series is a new frontier, new challenges.

A comprehensive series will may not alter Bangladesh position much in ICC ranking but series loss or even a defeat in one match may tilt the balance a bit as the contenders Pakistan and West Indies are breathing on the neck.

As form, fitness and relative strengths suggest we are in no illusion that which team is favorite in the head-to-head contest. But circumstances alter cases.

Bangladesh was in desperate hunt for series win when these two teams met last in Bangladesh .Tigers started turning around from that series and later performed admirably in ICC world cup and went on winning series against Pakistan, India and South Africa.

Bangladesh could have created strong contest against Australia in test series. But after that series met its logical conclusion BCB hurriedly arranged Zimbabwe series. Needless to mention that Zimbabwe needs the series more than Bangladesh at this moment as their ICC full membership reputation is at stake after defeat against Afghanistan.

The three match ODI series starts tomorrow. Bangladesh tent has some bad news. The emerging talent aggressive opener Soumya Sarkar is injured and out of the series. He was however going through a lean patch. Speedster Rubel Hossain is not match fit. Inspiring leader Mashrafe has just recovered from dengue fever. The visitors have comprehensively beaten a strong Bangladesh A team in the lone practice match.

Even then, we find no real cause of concern, as Shakib, Tamim, Mahmudullah, Mustafiz and Nasir did not play in that match. Bangladesh will definitely look different when the first ODI gets underway tomorrow.

In all likelihood, Imrul Kayes will open the innings with his favorite mate Tamim Iqbal tomorrow. Kayes was not in world cup squad initially but was sent to down under as replacement of injured Anamaul Huq.

He lost his place in ODI for emergence of prolific Soumya Sarkar and now after very impressive performances in local cricket and warm up match he is back in the team.

 Tamim, Kayes have good chemistry and featured in several good partnerships. We hope they will again give aggressive start to Bangladesh innings creating launching pad for very strong middle order batsmen.

Liton Das can bat at number three for his sound technique .He was among few successes with the bat in India trip of “A” team and may keep the wicket relieving Mushfique for concentrating on batting. Return of Mahamudullah at number four will give solidity. He is cool composed and dependable.

Mushfique, Shakib, Sabbir and Nasir makes the strongest middle and late order batting. Mushfique looked in his vintage touch in the warm up match. Shakib demonstrated commendable commitment in agreeing to play for the series when his wife Shisir is expecting their child soon. His all-round brilliance will drive the team. Shabbir and Nasir will put the icing on the cake of Bangladesh batting.

Mashrafe, Arafat Sunny/Jubair and Mustafiz will complete the team. We are not sure whether Bangladesh would play with two pacers. If not either Liton or Shabbir will have to sit out for Al Amin.

Mashrafe bowled 7 overs in warm up match and did not look at his peak. We are not sure whether it would be smart decision to risk him. With Al Amin, Mustafiz and Kamrul Bangladesh may like to rest Mashrafee at least from the first ODI. But tiger leader cannot be rested. He is always supercharged and his presence in the match makes a lot of difference.

My team for the first ODI would be
Tamim Iqbal , Imrul Kayes , Liton K Das , Mahamudullah Riad, Mushfiqur Rahim , Sakib Al Hasan , Shabbir Rahman , Nasir Hussain. Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Arafat Sunny, Mustafizur Rahman.

Whatever might have happened in the one off warm up match there is no reason why Bangladesh should not win and win comfortably the ODI series. But it is cricket and funny things do happen. Bangladesh must not be complacent at all.

Tigers must remember it is a different context, different time and different mindset. Bangladesh cannot risk sliding down in ICC ranking.

BDST: 0846 HRS, NOV 06, 2015
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