SYLHET, Feb 29, 2020 (BSS) – Visiting Zimbabwe side desperately wants to break their 13-match losing streak against Bangladesh in one-day format when they take on the hosts in the first of three-match series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium tomorrow (Sunday).
The Southern African nation won their last ODI against Bangladesh in 2013 at their home den in Bulawayo after which they though won some match in other two formats, Bangladesh remained unconquered for them in this version of cricket.
This time they are confidence to correct the record, largely due to the fact that they had won a Test in this venue back in 2018.
They however came off a huge defeat in one-off Test against Bangladesh but that mattered little, as per Zimbabwe’s newly appointed ODI captain Chamu Chibahbha.
“We had won a Test here. The environment is nice and suits out strength. It will give us some boost ahead of the ODI match,” Chamu Chibhabha said here on Saturday before their practice session.
“Our record against Bangladesh has not been great but we are keen to change that this time. This is a perfect opportunity for us.”
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said that there is lots of grass on the pitch at this moment but it would be cut. Still it is predicted to be a spin friendly wicket, said Chibhabha.
But he is not fazed by the spin threat of Bangladesh, saying that they are improving their skill to deal with the spinners.
“We have said and talked about what we can expect from the Bangladeshi team. Obviously when every time we come here, there is lot of spin to play and we are putting a lot of work on how to deal with Bangladeshi spinners. We are improving our skill set too.”
Chibhabha, who expressed his elation over the captaincy duty of the team, said he wants to make the series memorable one by changing his side’s record against Bangladesh in this format.
“I am really honored and privileged to lead the team. We played against Bangladesh in the last couple of years consistently and we have not played our best cricket at their back yard.
“We really want to change that. The mentality in the change room is such that we want to change our fortune. I think we are capable of winning in this condition, the preparation is good, there is lot of energy and the guys are calm and relaxed,” he concluded.