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 today, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the T20I squad, leaving out Liton, who currently serves as Bangladesh's captain in the shortest format of the game.
ODI Squad: Mehidy Hassan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Vice-Captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana. �"BSS
