The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
With the rivalry between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh growing with each passing encounter, the question of whether the Chevrons can dominate the Asians again often crops up.
Back in the day, when Bangladesh were newbies, they were naturally Zimbabwe’s punching bags.
But the tables have turned.
As we prepare for another Zimbabwe-Bangladesh clash — the first in Harare since 2013 — its imperative to note what is at stake. World Cup qualification, pride, bragging rights — you name it — are all at stake.
Zimbabwe’s first meeting with Bangladesh came at a neutral venue, Kenya, in what was known as the President’s Cup back in 1997.
Legend and newly inducted International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Famer, Andy Flower, starred with 81, as Zimbabwe won the first-ever meeting by 48 runs.
Habibul Bashar, a Bangladesh legend, top-scored with 70 in that loss.
Since then, the two sides have met in 75 ODIs, with Zimbabwe winning 28 and losing 47.
There have been 17 Test matches, with the Chevrons recording seven wins, losing as many matches and drawing three.
On Wednesday, the two sides clash in a one-off Test. Both teams will feel confident ahead of the match.
Bangladesh won the last Test meeting in 2020 with an innings and 106 runs mauling of the Chevrons at home.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 335 runs in the first Test of the 2013 series — the last time Bangladesh were in Zimbabwe.
It is best remembered for Brendan Taylor’s back-to-back centuries.
The Tigers, however, bounced back to level the two-match series, as Mushfiqur Rahim starred with a 60 first innings, which he bettered to 91.
The 2021 series has some T20 Internationals. Although Zimbabwe will not be part of the October World T20 Cup due to that storied suspension of 2019, there is no doubt they would like to improve their sorry record against the Tigers.
In 12 meetings between 2006 and 2020, Zimbabwe have only toasted to victory on three occasions and lost nine times.
The last T20I meeting went Bangladesh’s way via a comfortable two-nil series in Dhaka.
Their last T20I series in Zimbabwe was also in 2013 and ended in a 1-1 draw.
Now the Chevrons believe they are primed to tame the Tigers.
Before the ongoing England-Sri Lanka ODI series, Bangladesh were the number one team on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League table.
As of July 1, 2021, England were the number one team with 60 points from 11 matches, while Bangladesh were second on 50 points after nine matches.
Zimbabwe have played three matches, gaining 10 points and now sit in 11th position.
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in their last ODI series in May 2021, while Zimbabwe’s last ODI series was away to Pakistan in 2020.
Pakistan won 2-1.
Zimbabwe coach Lalchand Rajput recently indicated that his side will take confidence from familiar conditions.
Time will tell if the Chevrons will tame the Tigers, but cricket is a numbers’ game and statistically the Asians have a slight edge.
