HARARE (Web Desk) - A new captain. An ODI series after ten months. Zimbabwe offered no excuses when Bangladesh arrived. The hosts stunned Bangladesh by defending 141 in the opener before pulling off a come-from-behind victory in the second to clinch the series with one match to spare. It is Zimbabwe's second successive home ODI series win against Bangladesh, after also beating them 2-1 in 2022.
The disappointment of missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup may still linger, but Zimbabwe's recent performances have strengthened belief ahead of next year's tournament, which they will co-host alongside South Africa, and Namibia.
The series has been marked by batting collapses from both sides. The difference has been Zimbabwe's pacers who have bailed their team out in both matches to keep them on the winning side. Bangladesh, despite arriving on the back of three successive ODI series wins against Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia this year, have been unable to recover from their batting failures and will be desperate to avoid a series sweep.
Taskin Ahmed has played more ODIs this year (10) than he did in 2024 and 2025, and has taken 18 wickets. While Nahid Rana has stolen the limelight with his pace, Taskin has shown he's capable of rattling the opposition's top order with his new-ball skills. He has taken two wickets in each of the first two matches, and with the Harare pitch offering bounce and movement, expect him to play a crucial role, especially in the absence of Mustafizur Rahman.
Brad Evans' performances have gone under the radar but he's one of Zimbabwe's valuable allrounders. On Thursday, while Ben Curran grabbed the headlines with an unbeaten hundred, Evans chipped in with a brisk unbeaten 58 from No. 8 to lift Zimbabwe to a competitive total. He then struck twice with the ball, having picked up three wickets in the series opener. Zimbabwe will hope he can once again make an impact with both bat and ball.
Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out for four weeks with hamstring and knee injuries. He missed the second ODI and was replaced by fellow left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam. Bangladesh are likely to go with the same side.