Tigers look to turn the tide in T20Is

Bangladesh will take on hosts Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Bulawayo on Wednesday, hoping a change of venue from Harare to Bulawayo can also change the team's fortunes after defeats in the one-off Test and the subsequent ODI series.

Stand-in skipper Tawhid Hridoy said the Tigers must cut down on their mistakes if they are to bounce back from their disappointing run of results in Zimbabwe.

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“It’s a different format and different venue and the conditions are different. On the particular day if we play good cricket then it will be good for us. We know what kind of mistakes we made and hopefully we will reduce these kinds of mistakes and focus on the format,” Hridoy said.

Regular captain Litton Das had already been rested for the T20I series and was also ruled out of the ODI series with a calf muscle strain. In his absence, the Tigers' middle order lacked control and patience.

The visitors have drafted Mosaddek Hossain into the T20I squad following his performances in the Australia ODIs, while Taskin Ahmed replaces Mustafizur Rahman, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The series also presents an opportunity for bowling all-rounders Mohammad Saifuddin and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain to strengthen their claims for a regular place in the T20I side, while the Tigers will hope Yasir Ali, who last featured in the format at the 2022 T20 World Cup, makes the most of any opportunities he gets.

With the likes of Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Taskin in the bowling attack, Hridoy said Bangladesh are aware of their strengths and are determined to bounce back.

“Zimbabwe are a good team in their home conditions. There are challenges but we know our strengths and hopefully will bounce back,” the stand-in skipper said.

Bangladesh will take confidence from their seven-wicket consolation victory in the final ODI, as well as the performances of Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Shoriful. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will hope Ben Curran, captain Sikandar Raza and a bowling attack led by Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani continue to dominate the Tigers' batting line-up in the T20I series after their Test and ODI success.