One Day International Series – Zimbabwe desperate for win to keep Bangladesh series alive
by Juris Graney
Cricket Odds:
Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe
Monday, November 2, 10pm
Bangladesh –350
Zimbabwe +250
Bangladesh need just one more win from the remaining two matches of this home tour against Zimbabwe to cap off a great season.
In the 17 matches played so far this season, Bangladesh has won 12 albeit eight of those have been against the same team – Zimbabwe.
The proximity and skill level of the two countries means they have faced each other a record 11 times, their only other opponents being a four-match series whitewash win over the West Indies and a win and a loss to Pakistan in January.
Back up a bit, so not only have they beaten the West Indies in a one-day series, Bangladesh have also held their own against Pakistan and completely annihilated Zimbabwe.
That’s a pretty darn good year for a team that has lost 154 of its 209 one day international matches.
The resurgent Bangladesh team needs to, however round off this series with two more wins.
Sure they could get away with a win in this match and let the next match slide having already sealed victory but the sign of a truly good team is the continued ruthlessness on the field, the burning desire to not only beat your opposition but to also make sure they don’t get up off the canvas.
Their win in the third ODI of the series nearly evaporated before their very eyes. After rolling Zimbabwe for an average 196, they seemed to be cruising to victory at 3-175 however three quick wickets nearly derailed the win.
That is the problem of the Bangladesh team, a lack of thrust, a lack of firm commitment to the cause of perfection. They should sneak past Zimbabwe in this match, the bookmakers think so at least placing them as –350 favourites however complacency could still keep this series alive in favour of the tourists.
Zimbabwe are a team that can spring upsets, they showed that with a convincing five wicket and 92 ball victory in the first match but they have failed to live up to expectation in the remaining two matches of the series, humbled by seven wickets in the return match and four wickets in the last encounter.
They need to stand up and be counted and now is the time for them to do just that.
