BAN vs ZIM 2024: 3rd T20I Preview

Zimbabwe will be hoping for a comeback in the series when they take on Bangladesh for the 3rd T20I of the 5-match series on May 7 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. After winning the first two games, Bangladesh will look forward to sealing the deal by 3-0 and winning the series. On the other hand, Zimbabwe will aim to put up a good performance in the series. The match will start at 300 PM BST.

Details of the Third T20I Match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe 

Table: Venue and schedule of the 2024 BAN vs ZIM 3rd T20I

Preview of the Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Third T20 in 2024

Bangladesh had a comfortable victory over Zimbabwe in both the games of the ongoing T20I series. However, they need to take lessons from some of the aspects of the game and try not to repeat those issues in the upcoming match. Their top order remains a genuine concern for the Tigers. The half-century of debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the first T20I match against Zimbabwe was a breath of fresh air in this regard but he couldn’t continue it in the second T20I match. Litton Das has been struggling for quite some time now and Bangladesh would want to see some runs from his bat. Similarly, skipper Nazmul Hasan Shanto’s bat has not been flourishing the way it was expected from him. 

The bowling of Bangladesh was good. However, letting Zimbabwe score 122 and 138 after having them on 41/7 and 42/5 respectively are something they won’t want to see again. The bowlers need to be more clinical in finishing the innings.

For Zimbabwe, very few things went right for them. Their top order failed miserably. Losing all the batters in clusters adds to the woes. The collapse of 41/7 from 36/1 in the first innings and 42/5 from 30/1 were something they would like to rectify in the third T20I against Bangladesh. They would surely want their senior players like Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and Ryan Burl chipping in more in this game. All of them had miserable outings in the first game. 

Their bowling had nothing much to do with what their batter gave them to defend. Still, they should have been more destructive with the bowling after the rain breaks. Although their execution was better in the second T20I match, Zimbabwe would demand their bowling unit to maintain this curve and be more disciplined in this game. 

BAN vs ZIM H2H T20I Records So Far

Table: Head-to-head T20I Records between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe

BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024

Bangladesh Squad Against Zimbabwe

Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, and Mohammad Saifuddin.

Zimbabwe Squad Against Bangladesh

Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Johnathan Campbell, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, and Sean Williams.

Key Players to Watch from Bangladesh Team

Litton Kumer Das

Litton Kumer Das has been out of touch for quite some time now. Given the resurgence of Soumya Sarkar and the newly debuted Tanzid Tamim firing, the third T20I against Zimbabwe can be a chance for him to convince the team management about his value to the team. 

Mohammad Saifuddin

Mohammad Saifuddin had a pleasing return to international cricket after picking up 3 for 15 in the 1st BAN vs ZIM T20I 2024. Although he was a bit expensive in the 2nd T20I, he showed promise with his inch-perfect Yorkers. He might also come in handy this time, which could be crucial to bolster his place in the team.

Key Players to Watch from the Zimbabwe Team

Sikandar Raza

One of the most disappointing sights for Zimbabwe in this T20I series is Sikandar Raza not being able to contribute at all. Zimbabwe has been relying on him for the last few years and they would want him to click in this game. Sikandar Raza doesn’t usually have many quiet games in a row and could be a deciding factor in the 3rd T20I of the 2024 BAN vs ZIM series.

Richard Ngrava

Richard Ngrava was arguably one of the positive things in both games for Zimbabwe. He put pressure in the initial overs on the batters of Bangladesh which made the Bangladeshi top-order fight to chase the low total. They could also win Zimbabwe the games as some rain interruptions saw Zimbabwe being ahead in the DLS Par. Given how Chattogram‍‍`s pitch favors the fast bowlers in the opening overs, if Zimbabwe bowls first then he is expected to play a big role with the bowl.

Final Words 

Zimbabwe would like to take lessons from the first two T20I matches and move on. They would like to turn things around for them. Meanwhile, Bangladesh would demand their players to maintain the same rhythm in the BAN vs ZIM 3rd T20I match. Bangladesh are going to be the favorite in this game, but Zimbabwe are expected to make things more difficult this time.