BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The Zimbabwe cricket team will be looking to end a 17-match losing streak in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Bangladesh when the two sides meet in the second of the three-match ODI series which is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League at Harare Sports Club this morning.
Zimbabwe produced what has recently become an all-too familiar horror show with the bat chasing 277 to win in the first match on Friday to lose by 155 runs to give the visitors a series lead.
One has to stretch back to May 8, 2013 in Bulawayo to find the last time Zimbabwe beat their nemesis in an ODI encounter, winning by seven wickets to complete a 2-1 series win.
The star of the tie was former national team opener Vusi Sibanda, who scored an unbeaten 103 and ably aided by Sean Williams who chipped with 55 not out to chase down a 248 target.
But since then Zimbabwe has lost 17-matches in limited-overs, on the trot against Bangladesh who appear to have put daylight between them and the African side in international cricket.
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Interestingly, 16 of the matches have been played in Bangladesh and this is the first time that the subcontinent side is touring Zimbabwe for a series clash in eight years
Only four players survive from the team that last beat Bangladesh, namely Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor, Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza.
Williams’ participation remains doubtful after he and Craig Ervine both missed the one-off Test and the subsequent first ODI due to Covid-19-related issues despite returning negative Covid-19 test result last week.
But Zimbabwe cricket will be desperate to get Williams and Ervine in the team as they look to take advantage of home conditions to earn points in the Super League race for World Cup qualification.
Lalchand Rajput’s side currently anchors the 13-team standings with just 10 points in four matches, three behind nearest rivals Sri Lanka who have 13 points from nine matches.
Bangladesh have done well in the Super League and sit second behind England with 60 points from 10 matches, trailing Australia and Pakistan on 40 while Ireland complete the top five with 35.
Pressure is also mounting for Rajput who has struggled for results with the Zimbabwe squad since his appointment in August 2018 after replacing Heath Streak.
The Indian coach has won just one ODI match in the 18 matches against top sides that he has been in charge of the African side and some section of the fans are already clamouring for the sacking of the entire technical team.
Rajput’s only win in ODI remains the Super Over win over Pakistan last year in which fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani starred with the ball to secure Zimbabwe’s historic win.
However, Rajput’s tenure has also coincided with the introduction of a number of promising young players such as Wessley Madhevere, Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani and Milton Shumba which augurs well for future of Zimbabwe Cricket.
After Timycen Maruma’s injury on Friday, today’s tie could see the return of Raza who recently underwent a surgery following a bone marrow infection.
Zimbabwe is awash with potential match winners in the bowling department including Luke Jongwe, who claimed three wickets in the first ODI Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava.
The home side will be hoping to finally find a batting hero to help them finally a torrid run against the visitors as well as a bad run of results for the Chevrons.