Bangladesh shift focus to ODI series following Test defeat

After a shocking defeat in the one-off Test that ended inside three days, Bangladesh wasted no time in beginning preparations for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe, which starts on July 6.

The ODI squad was originally scheduled to begin training on July 3, a day after the Test. However, with the match ending in just three days, the team management decided to make full use of the extra two days for preparation.

Bangladesh entered the one-off Test against Zimbabwe on the back of some impressive performances in the format, but Zimbabwe brought them back down to earth by crushing the visitors by an innings and 85 runs, the biggest victory in Zimbabwe's Test history.

The innings defeat was also Bangladesh's first against Zimbabwe in 25 years.

Following Zimbabwe's outstanding performance in the Test, the upcoming ODI series is expected to be highly competitive.

Before the Zimbabwe tour, Bangladesh had won four consecutive bilateral ODI series, including a historic series victory over Australia.

Although Bangladesh have dominated Zimbabwe in the ODI format, winning 51 of their 81 encounters while losing 30, the African side has reason for confidence.

The last time the two teams met in an ODI series, Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh 2-1 on home soil in 2022.

Bangladesh rested some of their key pacers for the Test match, but they are expected to return for the ODI series, providing a significant boost to the squad.

However, Liton Das is unlikely to be included in the ODI squad, despite being expected to miss only the first ODI.

Earlier on Wednesday the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the T20 International series in Zimbabwe today, leaving out the captain Liton Das.

Vice-captain TowhidHridoy will continue to lead the side in absence of LitonDas.

Taskin Ahmed and ShamimPatwari are other two cricketers to be left out from the Bangladesh's previous T20 series against Australia. Bangladesh lost that series 3-0.

Yasir Ali Chowhdury Rabbi, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat were recalled to the T20 side. 

replacing the trio.

Yasir was brought back into the side for his big-hitting prowess while Mosaddek's ODI from against Australia prompted the selectors to consider him in T20 format.

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo will host the three-match T20 series with the first match scheduled at July 15. The second and third match is on July 17 and 19 respectively.

Bangladesh ODI squad: Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Captain), SoumyaSarkar, Mohammed Saif Hassan, TanzidHasanTamim, NajmulHossainShanto (Vice-Captain), TawhidHridoy, Liton Das, MosaddekHossainSaikat, NurulHasanSohan, RishadHossain, Tanvir Islam, MustafizurRahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and NahidRana.

Bangladesh T20 squad: TowhidHridoy (Captain), ParvezHossainEmon, TanzidHasanTamim, Mohammed Saif Hassan, MosaddekHossainSaikat, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, NurulHasanSohan, ShakMahediHasan, Nasum Ahmed, RishadHossain, Shoriful Islam, MustafizurRahman, NahidRana, Saifuddin, Abdul GaffarSaqlain.