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Match 3 | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh ODI Series | Harare Sports Club | 11 July 2026
Zimbabwe have already won this series, sealing it 2-0 with a 13-run victory in the second ODI, so Saturday’s third match at Harare is a dead rubber rather than the decider its early framing suggested. That doesn’t make it meaningless. Richard Ngarava is unbeaten in his first two matches as captain, Ben Curran arrives on the back of an unbeaten century, and Bangladesh still have plenty to play for after Nahid Rana’s career-best bowling figures kept them competitive in the opener.
Richard Ngarava took over as Zimbabwe’s ODI captain for this series and has delivered in both matches so far, figures of 3 for 31 in the opener and 3 for 55 in the second game, bowling the decisive final over on each occasion.
His new-ball partner Blessing Muzarabani has been just as consistent, 2 for 24 and 2 for 33 across the two matches, giving Zimbabwe a seam attack that has repeatedly found wickets when it mattered. Graeme Cremer’s absence, ruled out with a fractured left arm, hasn’t disrupted a bowling unit that has now won successive matches against a full-strength Bangladesh side.
Ben Curran has been the standout batter of the series, an unbeaten 111 in the second match following an 18 in the opener, extending a career that already reads ten matches, 469 runs and an average of 58.63. Two centuries and two fifties in that span put him among the most efficient batters in the format right now.
For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana’s 6 for 21 in the first match stands out as the best ODI bowling figures by any Bangladesh bowler, a genuine highlight even in a losing series. Towhid Hridoy has also been reliable across both games, with scores of 25 and 60 that kept his side competitive when the top order faltered.
Brad Evans has quietly built one of the more eye-catching all-round contributions of the series, 3 for 34 with the ball in the opener followed by a 58 in the second match that included three sixes off Taskin Ahmed in the final over. That kind of finishing has given Zimbabwe’s lower order genuine teeth.
Newman Nyamhuri’s all-round display in the first match, 33 runs, 2 for 22 and two catches, earned him player of the match honours and underlined how deep Zimbabwe’s contributions have run. Even Sikandar Raza, recalled for the second game, chipped in with 33 runs and the wicket of Taskin lbw.
| Player | Team | Recent Form (this series) | Key Stat |
| Ben Curran | Zimbabwe | 18 (1st ODI), 111* (2nd ODI) | ODI average 58.63; two centuries in ten ODIs |
| Richard Ngarava | Zimbabwe | 3/31 plus 27 batting; 3/55, sealed both wins | New ODI captain; decisive in both victories |
| Brad Evans | Zimbabwe | 3/34 (1st ODI); 58 batting (2nd ODI) | Three sixes in the final over against Taskin in the 2nd ODI |
| Newman Nyamhuri | Zimbabwe | 33 runs, 2/22, two catches (1st ODI) | Player of the match in the 1st ODI; career-best 33 at No.9 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | 2/24 (1st ODI), 2/33 (2nd ODI) | Consistent wicket-taker across both matches |
| Nahid Rana | Bangladesh | 6/21 (1st ODI only) | Best-ever ODI figures by a Bangladesh bowler |
| Towhid Hridoy | Bangladesh | 25 (1st ODI), 60 (2nd ODI) | Top-scorer for Bangladesh in the 2nd ODI |
Harare Sports Club has produced an average first-innings score of 236.46 across 86 ODIs, though this series has swung either side of that mark: 141 all out in the opener on a spicier surface, 247 for 6 in the second match once conditions settled.
Early moisture typically helps the seamers in the first ten overs before the pitch flattens out, which explains why both new-ball attacks have made early inroads in this series. Chasing sides have actually won 52 of the 86 ODIs played here, so Bangladesh, needing pride more than points, at least have history on their side if they bowl first.
Bangladesh have won 51 of the 81 meetings between these two sides all-time, and had taken the previous 18 in a row before this series turned that narrative on its head. A third straight defeat here would extend Zimbabwe’s best run against Bangladesh in years.
There’s little at stake in the standings; the series is already gone, but individual stories still matter. Ngarava can finish his first assignment as captain unbeaten, Curran can push his extraordinary series average even higher, and this Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh ODI 2026 key players contest still has enough live subplots to reward anyone tuning into a fixture that looks, on paper, like it shouldn’t matter anymore.
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Has Zimbabwe already won the series against Bangladesh?
Yes, Zimbabwe sealed the series 2-0 after winning the second ODI by 13 runs. The third match on July 11 is a dead rubber with no series implications.
Who is Zimbabwe’s new ODI captain?
Richard Ngarava took over the captaincy for this series and remains unbeaten through two matches. He has bowled the decisive final over in both of Zimbabwe’s wins so far.
What is Ben Curran’s batting average this series?
Curran is averaging 58.63 in his ODI career after an unbeaten 111 in the second match. He now has two centuries and two fifties from just ten appearances.
Who holds the head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh?
Bangladesh lead the all-time series 51 wins to 32 after 81 meetings. They had won 18 straight matches before Zimbabwe’s win in this series broke that streak.
What were Nahid Rana’s bowling figures in the series opener?
Rana took 6 for 21, the best ODI bowling figures ever recorded by a Bangladesh bowler. It remains the standout individual performance of the series despite the eventual defeat.
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