ZIM vs BAN | 1st T20I | Match Preview and CREX 11 | Spotlight: Litton Das

Zimbabwe will cross swords against Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series at Harare Sports Club on July 30, 3.30 PM IST 

Despite enjoying decent success in ODIs, the Tigers have been absoultely ordinary in the shortest format, losing six of their last eight matches. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are coming on the back of five consecutive wins in the recently concluded ICC World Cup Qualifier. 

However, Bangladesh, having historically dominated the hosts in T20Is, start as certain favourites to win this series.  

Spotlight: Litton Das

Litton Das has been in magnificent touch in white-ball cricket

Litton has been in red hot form in white-ball cricket for quite a while now. The stylish keeper-batter has slammed 574 runs at a splendid average of 52.18 in his last four ODI series. Although he performed absymally in the West Indies T20Is, he averages 48.25 and strikes at a magnificent rate of 146.21 against Zimbabwe in the shortest format. 

Further, the 27-year-old accounted for Bangladesh's clinical T20I series victory against Zimbabwe at home in 2020, garnering 119 runs at a marvellous strike rate of 141.67. Looking at his current form and affection for Zimbabwe, we pick him as the player to watch out for in this match. 

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Pitch report: The average scoring rate at the Harare sports club is found to be 7.65, suggesting that batters have enjoyed decent success here. Teams batting first have won 65.63 per cent T20Is at this venue; so, the toss-winner in tomorrow's game will probably elect to bat first. 

CREX 11 Suggestions

Wicket-keeper: Litton Das
Batters: Afif Hossain, Craig Ervine, Anamul Haque
All-rounderds: Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Mahedi Hasan, Wesley Madhevere
Bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Luke Jongwe, Shoriful Islam

Captain: Litton Das
Vice-Captain: Shoriful Islam