Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Nurul Hasan hopes a “fearless” approach in Zimbabwe can turn around the team’s T20 struggles after winning by just one run in 13 matches in the format.
The wicketkeeper has been named captain for the three-match series in Harare, deputizing for Mahmudullah Riaz who is expected to be replaced by Shakib Al Hasan as full-time captain next month.
Bangladesh Test captain Shakib is on personal leave while Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim are also being rested.
Mushfiqur opted out of the West Indies tour to perform the Hajj but will return for the ODI series in Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh will be without Tamim Iqbal after his retirement from T20I, but the veteran opening batsman will have to captain the ODI squad.
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“We are behind in Tests and T20Is compared to ODIs. It is important for us to improve,” Nooral said in Dhaka last week.
“Fearless cricket is important to me. We will see if we can do it,” he added.
“If we are fearless, the chances of things being positive are much greater. When you fear failure, it will have a negative effect on you.”
Fast bowler Hasan Mehmood, who last played an international match 16 months ago, was included in both the T20I and ODI squads after regaining full fitness from injury.
Uncapped opener Pervez Hussain has been called up, while Test and ODI regular Mehdi Hasan may also feature in the T20I matches on July 30-31 and August 2.
Zimbabwe bounced back from two disastrous white-ball series against Afghanistan to book their place in the Twenty20 World Cup for the first time since 2016.
3-0 defeats in both the ODI and T20 series cost Lal Chand Rajput his job, with former star Zimbabwean batsman Dave Hughton returning for a second spell as coach.
Zimbabwe won all five matches in the qualifying tournament under Houghton in Bulawayo, and will be aiming to use the upcoming tours of Bangladesh and India, who will visit in August, ahead of the World Cup in Australia later this year. As preparation for the cup.
“It’s exciting because now we’re looking forward to something,” Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza told ESPNcricinfo.
“Everything we do now is building Australia. We want to be in the main tournament. We want to cause some upsets.
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“We’re trying to beat all these teams so we can build a culture, so when we get to Australia we have room to win.”
Zimbabwe pacer Tendai Chitara is in danger of missing the World Cup after suffering a fractured collarbone, while fellow bowler Blessing Mazarbani is out with a muscle strain.
Victor Niacci and Brad Evans have been named as replacements. Both made their T20 international debuts in May but neither played an ODI.
All matches will be held at the Harare Sports Club Ground, with the ODIs – which are not part of the World Cup Super League – scheduled for August 5, 7 and 10.
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