Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh – 3rd T20 International Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh taking place? Sunday, July 25th, 2021 – 11:30 (UK)
Where is Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh taking place? Harare Sports Club, Harare
What is the expected weather for Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh? 16-17c with sunshine and a gentle breeze
What channel is Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh on? The match will be televised live on FreeSports in the UK
Where can I stream Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh? FreeSports subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the FreeSports Player both online and via smart phones.
LAST MEETING
Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 23 runs.
THE TEAM NEWS
ZIMBABWE
- After a large amount of toil across all formats vs Bangladesh, Zimbabwe finally clicked in the second T20i, acquiring a score of 166/6 batting first, before bowling out the tourists for just 143 to successfully level the three-match series heading into the decider.
- Opener Wesley Madhevere was the hero with the bat, smashing 73 from 57 balls to lead his side to what ultimately turned out to be a winning total with both Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jonge taking three wickets, whilst Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani accrued two wickets each.
- Zimbabwe will surely stick to the same team for this deciding T20i in their attempt to maintain their winning momentum, provided they don’t pick up any last-minute injuries.
BANGLADESH
- Bangladesh failed to wrap the T20i series up following a poor batting display and they will need to bounce back sharply with much improved performance in the third match.
- No one shined with the willow as the highest score managed was only 29 by Shamim Hossain, although left-arm medium-fast bowler Shoriful Islam impressed with the ball, taking three wickets.
- Despite defeat it would be no surprise if Bangladesh field an unchanged side, knowing that at their best they should prove too strong for their opponents, although they need their experienced players to lead the charge here.
THE PREDICTION
Zimbabwe head into this deciding T20i series full of confidence and with genuine belief that they can pull off an unexpected comeback, with their bowling in particular having really impressed as a unit. The key battle will likely turn out to be those bowlers on their own home ground against the veteran steel of the Bangladesh engine room containing their proven consistent match winners such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah. Ultimately, it would be a surprise if Bangladesh put in as poor a performance with the bat as they did in the second T20i and the tourists will no doubt prioritise more sensible play here, not giving away their wickets with such regularity. In a tense contest like this, the likes of Shakib may well provide the edge for Bangladesh, who should do just enough to secure a series victory.
