Dav's Dissection
I can understand Zimbabwe making changes for the 3rd ODI -- a win for them would keep the series alive, and a loss will mean a series win for Bangladesh and a chance for a clean sweep.
I was happy with the way the Bangladesh openers (Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Huq) went about their job. It was conventional and acceleration was progressive. To bat for 25 overs before losing the first wicket is a huge bonus. The one blip with the batting was the loss of both set batsmen before the batting powerplay. This meant of course that the new batsmen could not take advantage of the field restrictions.
The turning point for me occurred during the 41st and 42nd overs where 27 runs were scored. You could feel the momentum snowball in favour of the home team with both Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in full swing. You couldn't have asked for a better script -- starting the last ten overs with seven wickets in hand. Not surprising to see 103 runs scored in that block.
One other trend occurring is that the Zimbabweans have not been able to bowl Bangladesh out. In three games, Zimbabwe have managed just 20 wickets out of a possible 30, compared to the hosts who have taken all 30.
As I sit in the commentary box and watch the Zimbabwe run-chase, I can't help but feel their lack of confidence. A sense of expectation of trying to get close but in reality going through the motions. This type of mental state happens when teams lose back to back, and after also losing all three Test matches.
When chasing big totals, it's always helpful to begin briskly without losing wickets. My stats tell me that Zimbabwe lose 2.5 wickets in the mandatory powerplay and today they lost three! I really cannot see Zimbabwe winning one of the remaining two ODIs. There hasn't been any close games so far and their fate seems to be sealed by just 25 to 30 overs.
So what can they do in the remaining two games? A good start would be to ensure targets are agreed by the entire team when batting. Whether setting a total or chasing, they must only lose three wickets by the 40th over. Come what may, this must happen. In doing so, batsmen will occupy the crease longer and will receive loose balls to hit boundaries.
This will also provide the opportunity to really accelerate in the last 10 overs, something that doesn't look remotely possible thus far.
Perhaps a change in batting first might also be considered. I realise the potential of the due factor in deciding what to do at the toss, but chasing hasn't worked so far. Give it a go!
The writer is a former Australia cricketer and Bangladesh's coach and currently a TV commentator.
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