Bangladesh Look to Seal ODI Series

Dhaka: Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in the preceding Test series and the host seal ODI series against Zimbabwe in Mirpur on Wednesday.

After being disappointing for most of the year, Bangladesh have finally hit their stride in the home series against Zimbabwe and will hope to seal the five-match series with a third consecutive victory at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

The first two ODIs saw Bangladesh put up big scores thanks to healthy contributions from the top-order, and Zimbabwe were put under pressure in their run chase on both occasions after losing early wickets. Zimbabwe have been hurt by the failure of their batsmen to build on their starts and the Bangladesh spinners have applied the brakes on their scoring.

With the 2015 World Cup rapidly approaching, Bangladesh have been encouraged by the arrival of young allrounder Sabbir Rahman, who belted an unbeaten 25-ball 44 in his debut innings, while Shakib Al Hasan has settled into the side since his early return from a ban.

Zimbabwe, however, have trailed off since their upset win over Australia in the tri-series at home. Beaten 3-0 in the Tests, Elton Chigumbura's men haven't lived up to their ODI potential, losing the first two games by 68 and 87 runs respectively, and have failed to reach 200 on both occasions. Lack of consistency has also hurt them with batsmen throwing away starts and not being able to preserve their wickets.

Zimbabwe would be tempted to reinforce their batting by including left-hander Craig Ervine and hope for a better contribution from Sikandar Raza at the top of the order in tandem with Hamilton Masakadza.

John Nyumbu, the offspinner who took five wickets on Test debut, hasn't had a good outing in Bangladesh and on pitches assisting turn, Zimbabwe would like their lead spinner to improve his returns.

Teams from

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (Capt.), Rubel Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Jubair Hossain, Imrul Kayes

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Solomon Mire, Regis Chakabva (wk), Elton Chigumbura (Capt.), Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu, Tendai Chatara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Natsai Mushangwe, Neville Madziva, Tawanda Mupariwa, Craig Ervine, Richmond Mutumbami, Malcolm Waller, Timycen Maruma, Peter Moor, Brian Vitori

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh have completed 100 international wins - 82 in ODIs, 7 Tests and 11 in T20s.
• Mashrafe has become the second Bangladeshi after Shakib Al Hasan to have won ten or more Man-of-the-Match awards.

Match facts
Wednesday, November 26, 2014 (day/night)
Start time 12:30 local (06:30 GMT)