The Bangladesh Cricket Board made a crucial decision by resting veteran players for the ZIM vs BAN 2022 T20I series, which will enable the other cricketers to stand up and demonstrate leadership abilities on the international stage. Oppositely, Zimbabwe's recent dominance in the Twenty20 World Cup Global Qualifier has instilled some faith in their abilities. Zimbabwe are well aware that they have a good chance of avenging their most recent series defeat against Bangladesh. Let's look at the schedule for the bilateral T20I series and the preview of the first match.

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe: Head-to-Head T20I Records

Bangladesh first met Zimbabwe in a T20 format match back in November 2006, which they won by 43 runs. Since then, two teams have played against each other in 16 Twenty20 international matches. Bangladesh have led the head-to-head contest with 16 wins, while Zimbabwe have won 5 matches. Bangladesh have never lost a bilateral series against Zimbabwe, winning three series and drawing three.

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Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh h2h T20I statistics (as on July 28, 2022)

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2022 Fixtures

All the matches of the ZIM vs BAN 2022 Twenty20 International series will be played at the Harare Sports Club ground. Here are the fixtures for the bilateral T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe-Bangladesh T20I Series 2022 Fixtures

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

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BAN vs ZIM 1st T20I 2022: Match Preview

When the BCB decided to name wicket-keeper batter Nurul Hasan the captain of Bangladesh for the ZIM vs BAN 2022 T20I series, excitement among Bangladesh cricket fans increased. There is no doubt that all eyes will be on Nurul Hasan’s captaincy. On the other hand, Zimbabwe recently ensured their qualification for the T20 World Cup 2022 main event by winning the Global Qualifier B competition. They will be up to putting up a real fight against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh

In the ZIM vs BAN 2022 T20I series, Bangladesh expect Nurul Hasan to demonstrate his potential as captain. His leadership ability will be closely monitored by the BCB in the series as the cricket board is in search of a new leader for the future.

Besides, finding the right opening combination is another key area where they need a solution. There are five top order batters in the squad, and the team management has to come up with a decision on which two they want to back up. Other than that, the remaining spots are more or less confirmed for the opening match.

Read BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2022: 3 challenges for Nurul Hasan as captain

Probable Playing XI (first T20I)

Top Order: Munim Shariar, Anamul Haque, Litton Das;

Middle-Order: Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan;

Lower-Order: Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed. 

Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Cricket Board is yet to announce their squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh. But the expectation is that the players who have performed well in the recent ICC Global Qualifier B get a chance in the series.

With less than three months left before the T20 World Cup 2022, the selectors may not want to make unnecessary experiments for this bilateral series. Apart from winning the series, finding the right combination for the forthcoming World Cup would be Zimbabwe’s main goal from this bilateral contest.

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Probable Playing XI for first T20I

(Based on their recent team combination in the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2022)

Top-Order: Regis Chakabva (wicket-keeper), Craig Ervine (captain), Sean Williams;

Middle-Order: Wessley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga;

Lower-Order: Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava

Aftermath

Will Nurul Hasan-led Bangladesh team be able to meet expectations in the absence of experienced cricketers in the series? The ability is certainly there; they just have to execute the game plan on the field. Oppositely, the confidence level is high at the moment for the Zimbabwean Twenty20 side.

The home side can feel that they have a genuine chance to overcome the visitors in the 3-match T20I series, especially in the absence of some of the key Bangladeshi players. Therefore, the ZIM vs BAN 2022 Twenty20 series promises an interesting contest to watch.

Read BAN vs ZIM 2022: 5 Bangladeshi players who can capitalize on Zimbabwe series