DHAKA, July 14, (v7n)– Bangladesh will look to finish their Zimbabwe tour on a positive note when they face the hosts in the first T20 International of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo tomorrow (Wednesday), with the match scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm Bangladesh time.

The visitors have endured a disappointing tour so far, suffering a thumping innings-and-85-run defeat in the one-off Test before losing the three-match ODI series 2-1. The T20 series now offers Bangladesh one final opportunity to salvage some pride by securing a series victory.

Bangladesh dominated the last T20 series between the two sides, winning 4-1 at home in 2024, and hold a commanding overall record against Zimbabwe in the format, with 17 wins from 25 matches. However, recent results have shown that past records offer little advantage.

After playing the Test and ODI series in Harare, Bangladesh now move to Bulawayo, where different playing conditions present a fresh challenge. "The conditions here are a bit different from Harare. The air is stronger, and the environment is slightly different," allrounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat said ahead of the series.

Mosaddek, who returned to the T20 squad following encouraging ODI performances, acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in making a meaningful contribution. "Whenever I get an opportunity to play, my goal is to make an impact for the team and help us win. That's always my priority. Personally, I want to contribute in whatever role the team requires at any given time."

Bangladesh's confidence stems from their convincing victory in the final ODI, which helped them avoid a series whitewash. Their batting unit also rediscovered form after struggling in the Test and opening two ODIs, providing renewed buoyancy ahead of the T20 series.

Towhid Hridoy will continue to captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Liton Das, who was ruled out of the tour after sustaining an injury during the recent home series against Australia. Bangladesh are yet to win a T20 series this year, having drawn a home series against New Zealand and lost another against Australia. They will now hope to turn things around and conclude the Zimbabwe tour with a series victory.

Bangladesh Squad: Towhid Hridoy (Captain), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Saifuddin, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.

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.

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