Leaving behind the disappointment of their heavy Test defeat, Bangladesh will look to make a winning start to the ODI series when they face Zimbabwe in the opening match at Harare Sports Club on Monday.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh arrived in Zimbabwe as overwhelming favourites after impressive performances across all three formats in recent months. However, their confidence took a huge nosedive as a rejuvenated Zimbabwe side crushed them by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test.
The victory was Zimbabwe's biggest ever win in Test cricket and has given the hosts a significant confidence boost ahead of the ODI series.
The Test result also underlined that the ODI series will not be a cake-walk for Bangladesh, despite their recent success, including four consecutive ODI series victories and a historic series win over Australia.
Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam acknowledged the challenge, admitting the team expects a tough contest after the disappointing Test defeat in Harare.
Speaking in a video message from Zimbabwe, Shoriful said the team had spent several days adapting to the local weather and playing conditions.
"Alhamdulillah, we have been here for several days. We have tried to adapt to the weather and conditions. Everyone is now in a good position.
The players are working hard in practice and improving every day. We will try to carry that into the matches," he said.
Shoriful stressed the importance of maintaining the process that has brought Bangladesh success in recent series.
"The boys have done well in the last few series. I want to maintain consistency by following the same process. I'm trying to adapt in both bowling and batting," he said.
Although Bangladesh have dominated Zimbabwe in ODIs, winning 51 of their 81 meetings while losing 30, Shoriful believes those statistics offer little advantage in unfamiliar conditions.
The last time the two sides met in a bilateral ODI series in Zimbabwe, the hosts secured a 2-1 series victory in 2022.
"Since this is their home condition, it will be a little difficult. But we have to play our normal game without thinking too much about that," Shoriful said.
The left-arm pacer also brushed aside any personal ambitions, insisting that the team's success is his only focus.
"I don't have any personal expectations. I just want the team to win the series and for everyone to perform well," he added.
Bangladesh rested several frontline pacers during the Test match, but they will return for the ODI series, providing a major boost to the visitors.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have recalled top-order batter Innocent Kaia after his match-winning century in the one-off Test.
Zimbabwe Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the series, with fast bowler Richard Ngarava appointed captain. It will be his first assignment as Zimbabwe's ODI captain after previously leading the side in Test cricket.
The squad also includes the returning experienced all-rounders Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wellington Masakadza. Star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who missed the Test match, has also been named in the ODI squad. �"BSS
