Zimbabwe riding high after T20 triumph but reinforced Bangladesh a fresh challenge
The hosts will also be without a raft of familiar faces as they look to snap a 19-ODI losing streak against their visitors
Zimbabwe will hope Ryan Burl can keep his momentum going against Bangladesh • AFP/Getty Images
Big picture
Zimbabwe have enjoyed a month of rare success. After dominating the T20 World Cup qualification tournament, they registered a maiden T20I series win over Bangladesh. There was a lot of fun and partying at the Harare Sports Club. The focus though now has to quickly shift to the ODIs, a format in which there's a massive gap between the two teams this year. Bangladesh also come in with a 19-match winning streak against Zimbabwe.
Form guide
Zimbabwe LLLLW (last five completed matches; most recent first)
Bangladesh WWWWL
In the spotlight
Ryan Burl became one of the most talked-about cricketers this week when he struck 34 runs in an over against Bangladesh. It was the joint-second highest runs in a single over in T20Is, as Burl helped Zimbabwe to a 2-1 series win. He doesn't have great numbers in ODIs this year, but Zimbabwe will hope he carries some of this confidence into the longer format as they start a long ODI run against Bangladesh, India and Australia.
Team news
Zimbabwe have to make at least five changes to the side that played their last ODI against Afghanistan in June. Takudzwanashe Kaitano could bat in the top order while Luke Jongwe, Evans and Nyauchi may be the three seamers.
Pitch and conditions
The pitches at the Harare Sports Club were quite batting-friendly during the T20I series earlier this week, but in ODIs over the last five years, teams batting first have averaged a lowly 225. Probably why 12 out of 21 teams have lost when batting first. The weather is supposed to be dry during the series.
Stats and trivia
- Bangladesh are on a 19-match winning streak in the format against Zimbabwe, dating back to 2014.
- Zimbabwe have won just one bilateral ODI series - against UAE - in the last five years.
- Bangladesh will be playing their 400th ODI during this series.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84