Bangladesh Cricket Board has just announced squads for all three formats for the ensuing bilateral series against Zimbabwe. The tour would feature one test, three each T20 and ODI matches. 

Star opening batsman Tamim Iqbal would lead the ODI team, Little bird Mominul would lead the test team and veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah Riad would spearhead the T20 squad. In the recent past Bangladesh was white washed by New Zealand in ODI and T20 series, lost test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe at this moment is the weakest team in the test circuit. But the past record evidences that Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe is always a tough competitor for Bangladesh.  Given the quality and experience of Bangladesh it is expected that Bangladesh should win ODI series, prove competitive in T20 series. From the present state of test team and lack of practice winning the lone test against Zimbabwe would be extremely difficult. 

Keeping an eye on the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in UAE at end 2021 Bangladesh has given added emphasis of T20 matches. One test was pruned from the visit to accommodate additional T20 match. After disastrous New Zealand tour and not too successful Sri Lanka tour Bangladesh would be keen to turn the tide around in Zimbabwe in all formats. 

Bangladesh T20I squad: Mahmudullah (c), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Naim Sheikh, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Aminul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan.

Veteran Mahmudullah led T20 squad comprises of four specialist openers Tamim, Liton, Soumya and Naim. The return of Shakib gives assurance as his all-round ability should add value. But the self-induced absence of Mushfique would impact the batting strength considering the poor form of Shakib with the bat in the local T20 league. Nurul Hasan Sohan, Wicket Keeper batsman, rookie Shamim Hossain and Leg spinner Aminul has been added to bolster the strength. Tamim and Saifuddin and Afif have to shoulder greater responsibility Hope Taskin recovers from injury on time. Mustafiz,Shoriful and Saifuddin would lead the pace attack. Shakib, Nasum, Mahedi Hasan and Aminul would the there for spin attack. I personally consider that batting is little thin and would find it challenging. In recent time Zimbabwe played very well against Pakistan in T20 series. 

Bangladesh ODI squad: Tamim Iqbal (c), Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam and Rubel Hossain.

With very strong ODI squad Bangladesh not only stands favourite for winning the ODI series but may also earn white wash. All four senior professionals Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah would appear together. In addition, Liton, Mithun, Nurul Hasan, Afif, Mosaddeq would provide backbone of the batting. Rubel would join Taskin, Mustafiz, Shoriful to strengthen the pace attack. Taijul, Shakib, Mosaddeq and Mehedy Hasan with quality spin would test Zimbabweans. 

Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (c), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam

Our main concern is the one-off Test match. Bangladesh ranked at the bottom in the recently concluded ICC World Test Championship. In the present situation Bangladesh cannot expect winning test against Top seven- New Zealand, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies. They have lost test against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan as well. Zimbabwe in the recent past won a test against Afghanistan at UAE. Bangladesh has no preparation for playing test. One cannot expect that a T20 league can provide required practice for a team for test. We expected very experienced and skilled Mahmudullah would be included in the test squad especially when Tamim and Musffique are a bit injured and Shakib is struggling for form. Shadman, Saif, Nazmul may struggle on hard bouncy wicket of Harare. Bangladesh should have taken two to three-experienced long version players like Anamul Haq, Imrul Kayes, Ashraful. Defeat against bottom ranked Zimbabwe would be embarrassing for Bangladesh. 

We have noted that BCB director and veteran cricket organizer Sajjadul Alom Bobby was left inactive for a long time. He has now been entrusted with the task for managing the Bangladesh squads in Zimbabwe. A person known for his integrity and pleasing personality do not require any lobbying perhaps for the upcoming BCB election. But his presence was required for the AGM for asking many questions. 

BDST: 1122 HRS, JUN 26, 2021
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