The four-match T20 Series has not yet been won by Bangladesh. Zimbabwe shocking a self-depleted Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third match will leave nothing unturned to finish the series on a high.

Bangladesh may bring back Tamim on the top and give Taskin and Arafat Sunny a match today. It will be the last opportunity for Bangladesh to work out the best combination before Asia Cup to be played for the first time in T20 format where the host will play very strong SAARC neighbors (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

Bangladesh risked losing and actual lost the match gambling with five changes, four debutants and three of whom playing any international cricket for the first time. The bowling became lean from such changes and mainstays of batting excepting consistent Sabbir played to live up to the billing.

The pride of Bengal tigers in Khulna not far away from the Royal Bengal Tigers above got dented. Who does not know how tigers licking wounds bounce back with vengeance?  If the recent performance is a guide, Bangladesh should win and win easy.

But any complacency will trigger embarrassment. We are sure Mashrafe will not make the same mistakes again. Zimbabwe may find a different Bangladesh today.

ICC T20 Ranking (07/01/2017)

The return of Tamim at the top pairing with Soumya will again create dynamism. Soumya has to reassess his stoke making options. In the third match, he looked edgy.

Imrul may not play as Sabbir at number three has already proved his utility. Imrul cannot be slotted below number three. I would suggest playing Mahmudullah playing at number four if Bangladesh loses early wickets.

He has not done justice to his talents so far. But he is only other player in the team in absence of Mushfique who can hold the innings together rotating strokes and changing gear when required. He will also be the ideal link between anyone of the top three and Shakib.

Bangladesh may use young Nurul Hasan or even Mashrafe as a pinch hitter if it has to chase a large target. Nurul in his two innings has impressed many for his cool temperament and innovative batting skills. We are sure he is there to stay though his keeping in the second match was a bit untidy.

Young Mosaddek did not disappoint on debut. But asking the youngster batting in a very tight situation was a baptism under fire. He deserves another opportunity at least to keep his morale going.

Mashrafe, Arafat Sunny, Abu Hider and Taskin should fill the other places. Not playing Arafat Sunny in the third match was a genuine mistake. Zimbabweans are weak against quality spin. He bowls well at the top and also in the business session.

With Shakib bowling in tandem, he can put leash on free scoring Zimbabwean middle order. Taskin needs a game. It will be exciting watching him bowl with Hider. Shahid may sit out. He must not be disappointed.

He could have got more than one wicket on his debut, as few opportunities in his bowling were not accepted of his bowling. He is more of a line and length bowler ideal for longer format. I am not sure whether Bangladesh can risk playing four seamers and a less batsman bringing back Al Amin Hossain.

I am sure a different tiger squad will appear today. But again Bangladesh has to get the experience of the last match out of their mind. The nature of T20 is a gamble and Bangladesh gambled blind for most part of the match.

You win some and lose many while you gamble. Making five changes with four debutants was a poor choice with series on the borderline. Bangladesh could be in a far better position today if they did not lose the third match. It is not always easy to regain momentum.

Zimbabwe looked improving in every match they played in the series. They had their moments in the first two matches also which they lost easily in the end.

Masakadza and Sibanda looked good in all matches. Waller is in prolific form. His skills in big strikes upset the bowling plans of Mashrafe squad. Williams and Chigumbura are also good strikers.

Three spinners Graeme Cremer, Tendai Chisoro and Sikandar Raza in the third match created panic in the third match. Bangladesh must not be complacent at all .At the same time they must not take any pressure also. A win for Zimbabwe and squaring the series will be huge boost for them.

The Probable Team Today
Tamim Iqbal ,Soumya Sarkar , Shabbir Rahman ,Mahmudullah Riad , Shakib Al Hasan , Nurul Hasan ,Mosaddek Hossain ,Mashrafee Bin Murtaza, Arafat Sunny ,Abu Hider and Taskin Ahmed

BDST:  0843 HRS, JAN 22, 2016
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