1st ODI Bangladesh v Zimbabwe at Mirpur - Preview

Mirpur: Bangladesh failed to beat Sri Lanka in a thrilling tri-series final in Mirpur but an improved performance in their last two ODI's - including a win against Sri Lanka in the group stage - will give them the edge going into the three-match series against Zimbabwe.

Ed Rainsford took seven wickets in his last three ODIs, including two successive three-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka, and will spearhead Zimbabwe's pace attack. He's taken 10 wickets at 36.20 against Bangladesh and will want to improve upon that. He also took 3 for 27 in the first innings of the tour match to bowl out BCB Academy for 59.

Nazmul Hossain performed well in the tri-series final, taking 3 for 30, and shone against Zimbabwe in the tour-match, capturing eight wickets. However, he would want to reduce his economy-rate of 5.54 and support new-ball partner Mashrafe Mortaza before Shakib and Naeem are brought on to bowl.

The average runs-per-wicket at the Shere Bangla National Stadium is 26.49, significantly higher than the 18.60 in the four matches in the tri-series. Bangladesh average 26.97 per-wicket here in 17 matches.

Pitch Report: The pitches during the tri-series produced a series of low scores with an average of 18.60 per wicket in the last four ODIs. The side winning the toss chose to field each time, so the pace bowlers will look to utilise the favourable conditions in the morning to take some early wickets.