Hosts take on Zimbabwe in 1st ODI today

As Bangladesh kick off another series against Zimbabwe in Mirpur today, the hosts may not get too many plaudits for a home success like they had received following triumphs over Pakistan, India and South Africa. Instead, anything other than a win against their struggling opponents could be judged as a disappointing outcome.

However, Zimbabwe's arrival here following the postponement of Australia's scheduled tour last month due to security concerns has brought a wave of relief among the cricket fans, who will be excited to see the Tigers further widen the gap against their once-nearest rivals.

The visitors head into the match fresh from an impressive win in the warm-up match in Fatullah on Thursday and, with batsmen who can challenge the home side's potent bowling attack, they know a win would help them put aside their recent failure against Afghanistan at home. But the Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led side have all the tools in their locker to put the visitors to the sword.

As usual, facing the hosts' slow bowlers, including Shakib Al Hasan, will be the biggest challenge for the visiting batsmen. The Zimbabweans will also have to deal with left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, whose cutters have flummoxed many a better batsman in the Indian and South African camps.

Bangladesh may play with three pacers and a specialist spinner in Arafat Sunny, alongside seven batsmen. Pacer Al-Amin Hossain has a good chance of returning to international cricket unless coach Chandika Hathurusingha continues his tendency of giving surprise call-ups by naming uncapped pacer Kamurl Islam Rabbi in the eleven. The biggest surprise, though, could be the inclusion of Jubair Hossain -- who looked rather biteless in Fatullah -- especially if he is drafted in at the expense of Sunny.