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Zimbabwe will begin their campaign in the UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026 against Bangladesh on Saturday, October 17, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Led by Sikandar Raza, the Chevrons will look to make an early statement in the three-team competition, which also features Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe have retained much of the core group that faced Australia in their recent ODI series. Experienced campaigners such as Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor and Raza will be central to their plans, while Blessing Muzarabani is expected to lead the pace attack. Richard Ngarava will miss the tour as he continues recovering from a back injury.
With Afghanistan completing the three-team tournament, Bangladesh will aim to make a strong start under captain Litton Das and build momentum ahead of their next group-stage fixture.
The squad combines experienced international players such as Litton, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz with promising options in both the batting and bowling departments. Fast bowler Nahid Rana is unavailable as he continues recovering from a side strain, while off-spinner Aliss Al Islam has earned his maiden ODI call-up.
Here is the predicted playing XI of Zimbabwe for Match 1 of the tri-series against Bangladesh:
Ben Curran is expected to open the innings alongside Brian Bennett. The pair will be tasked with providing Zimbabwe with a steady start against Bangladesh’s experienced bowling attack. Curran can help establish a platform, while Bennett’s role will be to rotate the strike and capitalise on scoring opportunities during the powerplay.
Craig Ervine could slot in at No. 3, bringing experience and composure to the top order. His ability to build partnerships will be particularly important if Bangladesh manage an early breakthrough. Zimbabwe will need their top three to avoid a cluster of wickets and ensure that the middle order enters the game with a solid foundation.
Brendan Taylor could follow at No. 4 and take responsibility for guiding the innings through the middle overs. His wicketkeeping experience adds another dimension to the lineup, while his batting could prove valuable if Zimbabwe need to recover from an uncertain start.
Captain Sikandar Raza is likely to occupy the No. 5 position. He remains one of Zimbabwe’s key all-rounders, offering the ability to contribute with both bat and ball. His leadership will be crucial in managing the team’s approach against Bangladesh, particularly if the contest becomes tight.
Ryan Burl could provide attacking options in the middle order. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate and contribute with the ball makes him a useful player in a limited-overs contest.
Wessly Madhevere could add further batting depth at No. 7. His presence would give Zimbabwe flexibility to build partnerships or accelerate late in the innings, depending on the match situation.
Brad Evans is another important component of the predicted XI. His seam-bowling skills and lower-order batting could help Zimbabwe maintain balance across both departments. The all-rounders will be expected to contribute useful overs and prevent the bowling workload from falling entirely on the specialist attack.
Blessing Muzarabani is expected to spearhead Zimbabwe’s pace attack. His height and ability to generate bounce could trouble Bangladesh’s batters, particularly during the powerplay. Zimbabwe will look to him for early wickets and another strong spell when the opposition attempts to accelerate.
Newman Nyamhuri could support Muzarabani as a left-arm pace option. His inclusion would give the attack variety and allow Zimbabwe to challenge right-handed batters from a different angle.
Brad Evans could provide additional pace, while Wellington Masakadza is likely to be an important spin option. Masakadza’s role will be to control the middle overs, restrict the scoring rate and create opportunities for breakthroughs.
Zimbabwe could also consider Ernest Masuku or Vincent Masekesa, depending on the conditions and the balance they want from their bowling unit. Both are included in the announced ODI squad, giving the team further options.
| No. | Player |
| 1 | Ben Curran |
| 2 | Brian Bennett |
| 3 | Craig Ervine |
| 4 | Brendan Taylor (WK) |
| 5 | Sikandar Raza (C) |
| 6 | Ryan Burl |
| 7 | Wessly Madhevere |
| 8 | Brad Evans |
| 9 | Wellington Masakadza |
| 10 | Blessing Muzarabani |
| 11 | Newman Nyamhuri |
This is a predicted XI based on Zimbabwe’s announced ODI squad. The official playing XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Here is the predicted playing XI of Bangladesh for Match 1 of the tri-series against Zimbabwe.
Tanzid Hasan is expected to provide an attacking start at the top of the order. The left-handed batter can put pressure on the opposition during the powerplay by taking advantage of fielding restrictions. His ability to find boundaries early could help Bangladesh build a strong platform.
Saif Hassan could partner Tanzid at the top, offering a combination of aggression and stability. His selection would give Bangladesh another option capable of building an innings while keeping the scoreboard moving. The opening pair will need to negotiate Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack carefully and avoid losing early wickets.
Litton Das is expected to captain Bangladesh and play a crucial role in the top order. His experience and ability to accelerate against both pace and spin make him a key figure in the batting lineup. Litton can anchor the innings if early wickets fall or attack when the team needs a higher scoring rate.
As captain, he will also be responsible for managing Bangladesh’s bowling resources and adapting to conditions in Abu Dhabi.
Shanto could provide stability in the middle order. His ability to build partnerships and rotate the strike will be important if Bangladesh lose an early wicket. Against Zimbabwe, he may need to balance patience with calculated aggression, particularly during the middle overs when the field spreads out.
Towhid Hridoy is likely to be one of Bangladesh’s important middle-order batters. He can accelerate once established and has the ability to find gaps against both fast bowlers and spinners. His partnership with Shanto or Litton could determine whether Bangladesh finish with a competitive total.
Hridoy’s role will be especially important if the top order provides a steady but not particularly rapid start.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz offers Bangladesh valuable balance as an all-rounder. His off-spin can help control the middle overs, while his batting provides depth and the ability to contribute useful runs under pressure.
Against Zimbabwe, Mehidy could be a key player in both innings. He will look to restrict the opposition’s scoring and break partnerships, while also providing support if Bangladesh need to rebuild after losing wickets.
Nurul Hasan could feature as an additional wicketkeeping option and lower-middle-order batter. His inclusion would provide Bangladesh with further batting depth and a player capable of contributing during the closing stages of the innings.
The team management could instead opt for Mosaddek Hossain Saikat if it prefers another all-round option, depending on the balance required for the match.
Rishad Hossain is likely to be an important spin-bowling option. His leg-spin can create wicket-taking opportunities in the middle overs, especially if Zimbabwe’s batters attempt to accelerate.
His contribution with the bat could also prove useful in the lower order. Bangladesh will want him to attack the stumps, vary his pace and avoid allowing Zimbabwe’s batters to settle.
Taskin Ahmed is expected to lead Bangladesh’s pace attack. His speed and ability to generate bounce could trouble Zimbabwe’s top order, particularly with the new ball. Taskin will be tasked with taking early wickets and returning for important spells when the opposition looks to accelerate.
Mustafizur Rahman brings experience and variations that can be particularly effective in limited-overs cricket. His cutters and changes of pace could make scoring difficult on a surface where batters cannot rely solely on pace coming onto the bat.
His death-over execution will be important if Zimbabwe build a strong platform.
Hasan Mahmud could complete the pace attack. His ability to bowl with discipline and attack the stumps gives Bangladesh another wicket-taking option. Alongside Taskin and Mustafizur, he could help the team maintain pressure across different phases of the innings.
Shoriful Islam remains a potential alternative if Bangladesh prefer a left-arm pace option.
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