Tigers bank on pacers after Test setback

Bangladesh will head into the first of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe on Monday in Harare, hoping to put the disappointment of their innings-and-85-run defeat in the one-off Test behind them.

After being outclassed by Zimbabwe's pace attack in the longest format, the Tigers will be boosted by the return of frontline quicks Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman, the pace trio that has played a key role in their recent ODI successes at home.

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The match will begin at 1:30pm Bangladesh time on Monday.

Bangladesh could, however, be without Litton Das for the series opener. The right-hander, a crucial member of the middle order, is expected to return from the second ODI. In his absence, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy will be looking to improve on their batting performances from the one-off Test.

The visitors will also welcome back skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who missed the Test.

Rana, meanwhile, will be eager to stamp his authority on African soil ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The Bangladesh speedster is the leading wicket-taker in ODIs this year with 20 scalps and was a dominant force in the home series against New Zealand, Pakistan, and Australia.

Alongside Rana, Taskin's probing hard lengths and Mustafizur's guile will be crucial after Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain managed just two wickets while conceding 266 runs in the one-off Test.

Bangladesh have won three of their last four ODI series against Zimbabwe but, significantly, lost their most recent bilateral ODI series against them, going down 2-1 in Harare in August 2022.

Harare has generally produced high-scoring ODI contests and, besides addressing their top-order concerns, the Tigers will be hoping Mosaddek Hossain can continue his rich vein of form while captain Miraz makes valuable contributions with the bat.

Bangladesh will also be looking to extend their upward trajectory in the format after winning four consecutive ODI series, including a 2-1 home triumph over Australia in their most recent assignment last month.