Bangladesh Take on Zimbabwe in T20

Bulawayo: Bangladesh take on Zimbabwe in two Twenty20 internationals this weekend seeking to end a disappointing tour on a high - and wondering if the matches represent an opportunity for Mushfiqur Rahim to change his mind about quitting the captaincy.

Mushfiqur said on Wednesday that he would be resigning at the end of the Zimbabwe tour, in an unexpected announcement that came in the wake of Bangladesh's one-day series defeat.

Mushfiqur gave only the briefest of explanations, blaming both his and the team's poor performances, but it was obvious that the decision was made at an emotional moment.

The announcement took Bangladesh Cricket Board officials by surprise, and the matter will be discussed upon the team's return to Dhaka.

In the meantime, two big wins at Queens Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday could cause Mushfiqur to reconsider - particularly if the BCB urge him to continue.

Shamsur Rahman will most likely come in, having been around the team since the end of the Test series. He did well in the BPL this year, so he has the runs behind him to stake a claim. The rest of the playing XI could remain the same as the ODI series.

Having claimed a rare one-day series victory, Zimbabwe will go into the Twenty20s with renewed belief that they can break a 16-match losing streak in cricket's shortest format.

Zimbabwe have not won a Twenty20 international since beating the West Indies in February 2010, with their only successes in that time coming in unofficial matches against Bangladesh and an experimental South African side last year.

Zimbabwe are likely to continue with the combination from the ODI series. However, Elton Chigumbura has been ruled out of the T20 series after suffering a groin strain. Fast bowler Shingi Masakadza or legspinner Tinotenda Mutombodzi may find a place in the playing XI.

Teams from:

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain & wk), Regis Chakabva, Tinashe Panyangara, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Natsai Mushangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, Vusi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Malcolm Waller, Tendai Chatara, Michael Chinouya, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ray Price, Sikandar Raza, Brian Vitori, Sean Williams

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain & wk), Ziaur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Shamsur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Ashraful, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Robiul Islam, Sajidul Islam, Sohag Gazi

Pitch and conditions
There will also be slight movement for the quick bowlers.

Stats and trivia

• Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have played just one T20I in 2006. Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs in that match.
• The Queens Sports Club ground in Bulawayo has never hosted a T20 international
• Ireland (30) have played more T20 internationals than Bangladesh (28) and Zimbabwe (24)
• Hamilton Masakadza's six fifties are the most for any batsman on both sides. Abdur Razzak, with 36, has taken the most wickets

Match facts
Saturday May 11, 2013
Start time 13:30 local (1130 GMT)