DHAKA: Winning the toss, visiting Zimbabwe chose to bat first against Bangladesh in the fifth and final match of the series at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka on Monday.
Tigers are leading the Bashundhara Cement ODI series by 4-0.
Having won the test cricket series, Bangladesh wants to compound Zimbabwe’s misery by achieving 5-0 ODI whitewash as the last match starts at 12:30pm Monday.
Though Zimbabwe lose a game, fight back harder in the next, but Bangladesh somehow just strive to stay on top. With nothing except pride and records to play for, both teams will look to make more use of their reserves.
Bangladesh have had a lot of positives from this series, starting right from Tamim and Anamul. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan have been regular contributors, but the most eye-catching has been Mahmudullah's return to form.
Mominul Haque has been shifted around and rested, but his replacement Imrul Kayes failed to make most of the opportunity in the fourth ODI. Sabbir Rahman has scored on and off, so there will be expectations for him to finish well.
Arafat Sunny is no longer part of the squad, perhaps being prepared for the World Cup. Bangladesh have unsurprisingly been comfortable on the spinning front, but there is still scope for improvement from their seamers, as none apart from Al-Amin Hossain have been able to create an impression.
Soumya Sarkar is set to make his ODI debut but it is not certain if he will replace Imrul Kayes or Sabbir Rahman. Rubel Hossain may be rested to give Taijul Islam a chance, especially if Soumya is used as the third seamer after Mashrafe Mortaza and Abul Hasan.
Bangladesh Squad
Mashrafe Mortaza*, Shakib Al Hasan, Abul Hasan, Anamul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Jubair Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal.
Zimbabwe Squad
E Chigumbura*, RW Chakabva†, TL Chatara, CR Ervine, T Kamungozi, H Masakadza, N Mushangwe, R Mutumbami, J Nyumbu, T Panyangara, V Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, BRM Taylor.
BDST: 1116 HRS, DEC 01, 2014
**Tigers eye another whitewash
