HOSTS Zimbabwe will hope a change of format will bring a change of fortune as they seek to register their first victory against Bangladesh on this tour when they play the first T20I at Harare Sports Club on Thursday (tomorrow).
Zimbabwe lost the one-off Test match and was whitewashed three-nil in the One Day International series.
David Mutendera and his selection panel have made a bold move by selecting a largely youthful side and resting Brendan Taylor with the make or break tours of Ireland and Scotland in mind, which begin on August 1.
All-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the young team in the three-match T20I series as they try to register their first-ever series victory against the visitors in this game format.
A couple of months ago, when Zimbabwe hosted Pakistan, they opened with Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessley Madhevere. With Taylor rested, the young pair will get another run at the top of the order. The in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva will bat at first drop as Zimbabwe fortify their middle order.
Dion Myers, who looks good each time he is at the crease before he gives it away, is set to make his T20I debut to complete what has been a great winter for the former Under-19 captain.
It will be interesting to see how Myers plays as he is one player who is suited to this kind of format where he can play without a handbrake.
If both Raza and Ryan Burl continue from where they left from the third ODI, there is no reason why Zimbabwe cannot chase or set a big total.
Blessing Muzarabani plays his first T20I after helping Multan Sultans clinch their maiden Pakistan Super League last month. Once again, he will be under the spotlight as he leads the Chevrons attack as they try to win their first match as hosts.
Luke Jongwe had a fantastic T20I series against Pakistan and, with his bowling variations, will be once again a menace to the Tigers batters.
There is also scope for a specialist spinner, and Wellington Masakadza, who has done well in this format, will probably get his first game against Bangladesh on this tour.
All eyes will be on the wicket that the curator is going to prepare against Pakistan. He prepared a slow wicket that made batting very difficult, and Zimbabwe defended a sub 120 score.
Bangladesh go into the first match of a format that they have generally been poor, and they will be missing the services of Tamim Iqbal, whose knee flared up again.
But with Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, they have enough experience to take a clean sweep of all formats on their tour of Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh are also using the series to try out their combinations ahead of the T20I World Cup in the United Arab Emirates later this year. The Tigers play in the first round of the competition in group B with Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Oman. They need to finish in the top two to qualify for the Super 12.
The beauty of T20 cricket is that any team can beat any team on its day; therefore, form is inconsequential as the two play each in the first game.
Zimbabwe probable lineup:
- Tadiwanashe Marumani
- Wessely Madhevere
- Regis Chakabva
4.Dion Myers - Sikandar Raza
- Ryan Burl
- Luke Jongwe
- Wellington Masakadza
- Tendai Chatara
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Richard Ngarava
