Rhodes expects a 'wounded animal' in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe are experiencing a torrid 2018 and they were trounced 3-0 by South Africa in the recently concluded away series. Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes however sees Zimbabwe as a tough opposition and expects them to come out firing, hinting that his side is not going to take the tourists lightly when the ODI series starts on 21st October.

"Zimbabwe have just come from South Africa and they got a beating. No team likes that. I expect a wounded animal, somebody who is going to be fighting for their lives. I expect a tough opposition. I think the kick back from the South Africa series could be that they turn it on against us."

Bangladesh are missing two of their most important players in the form of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Three of Shakib's seven ODI tons have come against Zimbabwe while Tamim and Shakib are also the Tigers' top run-getters against Zimbabwe in ODIs.

Rhodes knows that two of their most important players are missing in action and talked about being 'guarded' against a Zimbabwe onslaught while also saying that it will be an opportunity for two other cricketers to make their mark and stake a claim for a place in the Tigers' ODI lineup.

"We are very guarded also very determined to play our best cricket. We know we are two players light. Two good players. It will be an opportunity for two others. Our approach has to be about making sure that we perform our duty out on the cricket field. If we do that then we don't have to worry about the opposition."