Zimbabwe host Bangladesh in the first of a three-match T20I series to wrap up their multi-format meetings, taking place across Harare and Bulawayo.
The home side head into the fixture having won the only Test match of the tour and the first two of the ODI matches before rotating heavily in the third and final one-dayer and falling to a seven-wicket defeat.
Bangladesh are four places ahead of Zimbabwe in the T20I rankings but have struggled with the conditions and will need to up their game from the ODI and Test performances if they want to start the T20 series off with a win.
Zimbabwe have been impressive in home conditions and will be bringing back their rested stars Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Newman Nyamhuri, with all three bowlers expected to be named in the starting XI fit and fresh for the three-match series.
Zimbabwe v Bangladesh Tips Summary
Best Bet - Zimbabwe to win @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Blessing Muzarabani 2+ wickets @ Evens
Bet Builder - Nahid Rana 2+ wickets, Brad Evans 20+ runs & Tanzid Hasan to score 3+ fours @ 10/1
Zimbabwe v Bangladesh Prediction
Best Bet - Zimbabwe to win @ 11/10
Zimbabwe were in sparkling form for the Test match and the ODI series against Bangladesh, and with little change to their team across all three formats, the Chevrons can pull off a surprise in the opening T20I.
The hosts hammered Bangladesh in the one-off Test match by an innings and 85 runs before winning the first two ODIs by 25 and 13 runs.
With the series in the bag, they opted to rest several key players, particularly from their bowling attack, for the third and final match and fell to a seven-wicket defeat.
With the bowlers fit and fresh to come back into the T20 team, Zimbabwe will be at full strength and can cause Bangladesh plenty of problems in Bulawayo.
The test and ODI matches all took place in Harare, with a change of venue to Bulawayo for the T20 series, meaning Bangladesh will have a different set of conditions to contend with and backing the hosts on home ground to win the first of the three matches appeals.
Alternative Bet: Blessing Muzarabani 2+ wickets @ Evens
Zimbabwe bowler Blessing Muzarabani goes into this match in fine form having taken six wickets in the one-off Test match and four in his 20 overs across two matches in the ODI series.
The seamer was rested for the third and final ODI so comes into the T20 series fresh and will no doubt be restored to the side to take the new ball alongside Richard Ngarava.
The pair are a potent combination and Muzarabani has been causing the Bangladesh top order all manner of problems.
Backing the opening bowler to take two or more wickets looks a shrewd move in this clash.
Zimbabwe v Bangladesh Bet Builder Tip
Nahid Rana 2+ wickets
Brad Evans 20+ runs
Tanzid Hasan to score 3+ fours
Pays 10/1
Bangladesh bowler Nahid Rana was the top wicket-taker during the ODI series, despite playing in only two matches, taking seven wickets, including a remarkable spell of 6-21 off 10 overs.
The seamer can once again cause the Zimbabwe players problems and backing him to take at least two wickets is a good option for this three-fold.
All-rounder Brad Evans comes out to bat in the middle order and is given licence to play his shots and get the score ticking over at a rapid rate.
His form in the ODIs was superb with 111 runs in three innings, at an average of 55, and he can continue that run into the T20 series.
His last three T20 knocks have seen him average 26 and he is more than capable of beating the 20-run line on offer here.
Rounding out this three-fold is backing Tanzid Hasan to hit three or more fours through his innings.
Hasan was the top run scorer in the ODI series with 159 runs. The Bangladesh opener is an aggressive player but one who plays with control.
During the ODI series, he hit 14 fours and four sixes, suggesting backing him in the fours market rather than the sixes is the way to go.
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Key Match Stats
Zimbabwe won their last home T20 series against Bangladesh 2-1
Bangladesh were 4-1 winners at home in the last T20 series against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe won the last T20 match between the pair in 2024 by eight wickets
Tanzid Hasan was the top run scorer during the last T20 series between the countries with 160 runs
Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin took eight wickets each in the last T20 series between the teams, with Blessing Muzarabani third on the list with seven
Zimbabwe have won three of their last four T20 fixtures in Bulawayo
Tactics, Form & Team News
Zimbabwe welcome back Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Newman Nyamhuri after handing them a rest in the final ODI match of the series.
The three bowlers are all expected to come straight back into the team to make up the backbone of the Chevrons' bowling attack.
Zimbabwe Squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Milton Shumba.
Bangladesh seamer Nahid Rana was given a match off in the final ODI and the fast bowler is expected to return for the first of the three T20I matches in Bulawayo.
Captain TowHid Hridoy has a fully fit squad to choose from as the Bangladesh side aim to end a disappointing tour on a winning note.
Bangladesh Squad: Towhid Hridoy (c), Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Nahid Rana, Nasum Ahmed, Nurul Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Rishad Hossain, Saif Hassan, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Yasir Ali.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
