'We have a chance'
Despite having gone through difficult times against Afghanistan in the UAE recently, where they lost both the ODI and T20I series, Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore believes that his side still has a chance to beat the Tigers in their own den.
Whatmore's confidence may stem from the fact that Zimbabwe had actually defeated Bangladesh the last time the two teams met, which was in November 2015. The two-match T20I series was drawn 1-1.
"Bangladesh is good but in this format they have got a bit of improvement to do, if I can say that. I don't like making comments about the opposition but in this format we have got a chance," Whatmore told reporters in Khulna yesterday.
"We have come here to win. We are also mindful of the fact that we have another 10 games before the World T20. A portion of those games will be used to look at different combinations," he added.
The Australian described the setback in the UAE as a bit unlucky and expects his boys to do much better in Bangladesh.
"The last game was one of those days. But the one before that we chased really well. We were unlucky. We fell just five runs short chasing 190-odd. There were a lot of positives, but the last one was not our night.
"The ODI series could have gone the other way as well. We bowled them out for 130 in the first match but couldn't get to it; second match we got 250 and one person wins the game for them. It could have been 2-0 in our favour. At the end of the day, it was 3-2. They have improved," explained Whatmore.
Like Bangladesh, the Zimbabwean team will also be doing a bit of soul searching in this format of the game with the T20 World Cup around the corner. This series will no doubt provide the Zimbabweans with an idea regarding the kind of conditions they may have to battle in India.
"I am not sure Indian wickets are going to take too much spin. What I have seen in the IPL are good batting wickets. Some of the matches are also under lights so the dew factor will also come into it. I think teams need to be prepared for medium-pace-quick combinations and also the ability to use spin bowlers without damaging their batting. I think you need to be flexible," said Whatmore.
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