Bangladesh will be looking to salvage some pride after losing their first two games, while Zimbabwe will aim to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.
Miraz hopes to improve his batting ability
Explaining the decision to bowl first, Miraz admitted Bangladesh were disappointed with their performance in the last game but insisted the team had moved on.
“We’re going to pitch first. It was a little disappointing the way we pitched the last game, but that’s in the past and we’ll think about the next game.”
The Bengal captain stressed the need for a better partnership with the bat.
“I think we need to work together first and then the back end. So we made some mistakes but we can think on the positive side and we already know the conditions because we’ve played two games. I think we didn’t play well in the last game.”
Bangladesh made two changes to their XI, bringing in Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanveer Islam.
“We have two changes. Saifuddin has come in. Tanveer has come in,” Miraz added.
Raza is confident of completing the house cleaning
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has revealed that Richard Ngarawa has been rested as part of workload management.
“Richard is fine. I think it’s one of the policies we have to manage the workload. If you look at the history of Richard’s back and the games he plays, it’s important to rest him as well. So today we rested him along with some other guys.”
Raza attributed Zimbabwe’s success in the series so far to the positive atmosphere in the dressing room.
“The confidence, the mood and the culture we have in the locker room. I think all of that adds to what you see and what other people see out on the park. Everybody is in a really good headspace, everybody feels confident and today’s game is another opportunity for all of us to showcase our skills and try to end the series 3-0.”
He also spoke about the challenges of batting on Harare’s winter pitches.
“I think especially playing in the winter at a sports club, I think it’s always very tricky against a new ball. But I think the first game was also a credit to our players. They made huge improvements in the second game and today I’m very confident there will be more improvements in the third game. We’re learning with our feet and today I thought while it was a challenge, it was another opportunity to basically master the Harare winter wicket.
Zimbabwe also made three changes to the side.
“So we had a little problem with Niamhuri, he was out. Of course, we are managing the workload of the bowlers. Two seamers, Nestor and Chiwanga came in and Wellington came in as Niamhuri’s replacement. So two seamers and a spinner to be added.”
Promotion report
The pitch at Harare Sports Club is expected to provide assistance to batsmen and bowlers.
“The surface looks good, but there’s a lot of grass there and it’s been rolled in, and you can see the color of the surface changing because of how much it’s been rolled in. But there’s a thick, good grass mulch. But again, it’s all about your application.”
Hit XI
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanvir Islam.
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Craig Owen, Sikandar Raza (centre), Wesley Madwere, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakaza, Ernest Masuku, Tanaka Chiwanga.
