Zimbabwe will be out to continue with their impressive run over touring Bangladesh in the fourth UCB One-Day International (ODI) series encounter at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, starting this morning.
Having already sealed an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series so far, skipper Brendan Taylor and his charges will be eyeing a whitewash against the struggling tourists who are still awaiting their first win of the tour.
With the tougher assignment against Pakistan just on the horizon, it will be important for Zimbabwe to finish this tour on a high, hence the importance of winning the last two matches.
Buoyed by their first ODI series over a major cricket nation in five years, coach Alan Butcher said his charges would be going out for a whitewash victory.
However, the transition from Harare Sports Club to Queens in Bulawayo presents a new challenge as the players would have to quickly adjust to the conditions.
The challenge will be greater for Bangladesh as the bulk of the players in the Zimbabwe team are familiar with the venue from domestic competitions.
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With the immediate future already in mind, chairman of selectors Alistair Campbell said they would try some new combinations in their batting line-up ahead of the upcoming assignments against Pakistan.
“Obviously having already sealed the series we felt there are some combinations we need to try and players like Regis Chakabva and Malcolm Waller quickly come to mind.
“However, any decisions will be made only after we have had a look at the wicket at Queens as a selection panel.
“Let me, however, add that we will by no means take it any lightly now that we have won the series. We have to make sure that we continue playing well like we have been doing so that we finish the series on a winning note ahead of the Pakistan tour,” said Campbell.
Changes could be expected in the middle order which has been far from convincing with wicketkeeper batsman Regis Chakabva and Waller the likely candidates to have a run for either Forster Mtizwa or Craig Ervine.
In the top order Taylor and Vusi Sibanda will open the batting, with the former desperate for a big innings after disappointing scores of 10, three and four in the first three matches.
Sibanda, who is averaging just over 60 runs this series after scores of 97, 67 and 27 will be hoping to continue with his good run.
Zimbabwe are likely to keep faith in their pace attack which has served them well this series, with Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis spearheading the attack which will also have Christopher Mpofu and former skipper Elton Chigumbura.
Following his three crucial wickets in the last match Prosper Utseya is likely to be the only spinner in the team, although Ray Price could also be preferred for another seamer judging by the conditions at Queens.
Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brendan Taylor (capt), 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 5 Craig Ervine/ Regis Chakabva, 6 Forster Mutizwa/ Malcolm Waller, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Brian Vitori, 10 Kyle Jarvis, 11 Chris Mpofu.