Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 5th One-day at Bulawayo

Bulawayo: Bangladesh have already wrapped up the series but the fifth game presents an opportunity for them to sign off their third consecutive ODI series win with authority.

Bangladesh's batting line-up has been boosted by Mohammad Ashraful's return to form and Tamim Iqbal's willingness to show patience early in his innings. They also have the in-form Shakib Al Hasan and Raqibul Hasan, who have shouldered comfortably the middle-order responsibilities.

Zimbabwe had a poor first game but that was perhaps due to lack of match practice - they got better in the remaining games. The batting has steadily improved with Charles Coventry beginning to find himself in the international arena, Mark Vermeulen's superb comeback and the return of Sean Williams from self-imposed retirement.

Team news

Zimbabwe: Mark Vermeulen has shown he is desperate to play cricket at the highest level. Nearly everyone thought he was done and dusted after his much publicised problems in the past and it was really incredible to see him make a successful comeback. His batting remains as fluent as ever; he has played seam and spin well.

Squad (likely): Hamilton Masakadza, Mark Vermeulen, Charles Coventry, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Prosper Utseya (c), Ray Price, Tawanda Mupariwa, Ed Rainsford.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan has been the world-class player for Bangladesh for some time now and has continued to stamp his presence in most games. His captaincy was off the boil for the last couple of games, especially his handling of the bowling, but for the most part he has led the team superbly. His bowling has always been of high quality but what must warm the fans is how he has grown into a tremendously consistent batsman. An IPL contract will be a fitting reward.

Squad (likely): Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Raqibul Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Mahbubul Alam, Enamul Haque jnr., Syed Rasel.

Stats & trivia

• Charles Coventry's 194 was the highest ODI score in a losing cause and it was the sixth-highest in the terms of percentage of the team total in an completed innings.
• There has been only one previous instance before the last game of two batsmen from opposing sides scoring 150+ in the same game. Ricky Ponting and Herschelle Gibbs scored in the famous South Africa win at the Wanderers.

Match facts
Tuesday August 18, 2009
Start time 09.30 (07.30 GMT)

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