After losing the first two matches, Bangladesh will be hoping to salvage some pride, while Zimbabwe will be aiming to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.
Miraz wants batting improvement
Explaining the decision to bowl first, Miraz admitted Bangladesh were disappointed with their performance in the previous game but insisted the team had moved on.
“We will bowl first. The way we bowled in the last match, a little bit disappointing, but that is past, and we think about the next game.”
The Bangladesh skipper stressed the need for better partnerships with the bat.
“I think we need partnerships in the top order and then the back end. So we did a few mistakes, but we can think about the positives and we know the conditions already as we have played two matches. I think we didn’t bat well in the last match.”
Bangladesh made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanvir Islam.
“We have two changes. Saifuddin is in. Tanvir is in,” Miraz added.
Raza confident of completing clean sweep
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza revealed that Richard Ngarava had been rested as part of workload management.
“Richard is fine. I think it’s one of those policies that we’ve got to manage our workload. If you look at Richard’s history with the back and also the games that he has played, so it was important to give him a rest as well. So we’ve rested him today along with some other guys.”
Raza credited the positive atmosphere in the dressing room for Zimbabwe’s success in the series so far.
“The confidence and the mood and the culture we have in the change room. I think all of those things are adding to what you see and what everyone else sees on the park as well. Everybody’s in a very good headspace, everybody’s feeling confident, and today game is another opportunity for all of us to basically showcase our skills and try and close the series with 3-0.”
He also spoke about the challenge of batting on winter pitches in Harare.
“I think in playing at Sports Club in winter especially, I think against a new ball, it’s always going to be very tricky. But I think credit to our guys as well from the first game. They improved massively in the second, and today I am very confident there will be even more improvement in the third one. We learn on our feet, and today I think as much as it’s a challenge, but it’s another opportunity to basically master the winter wickets in Harare.”
Zimbabwe also made three changes to the side.
“So we’ve got Nyamhuri who’s picked up a niggle, he’s out. And of course, we’re managing workload for the bowlers. In comes the two seamers, Nesto and Chivanga, and with Wellington coming in as Nyamhuri’s replacement. So two seamers and a spinner to add.”
Pitch report
The pitch at the Harare Sports Club is expected to offer assistance to both batters and bowlers.
“The surface looks a good one, but there’s a lot of grass there, and it’s been rolled in, and you can just see that the colour of the surface has changed because of the amount of rolling that’s gone in. But there is a thick, good covering of grass. But again, it’s all about your application.”
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanvir Islam.
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Tanaka Chivanga.
