How Bangladesh Can Reach Tri-Series Final After Defeat vs Zimbabwe In 1st ODI

Bangladesh lost against Zimbabwe in 1st ODI [Source: X]

Bangladesh were the favourites to beat Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation tournament, but the Tigers crumbled under pressure and lost the match by a whopping 99-run margin. Chasing 272, Bangladesh lost momentum, and the team got bundled out for a mere 172.

The Asian side were off to a solid start, scoring 47 runs without losing a wicket before Zimbabwe choked the scoring rate and wickets started to tumble. With a shocking loss, Bangladesh has a mountain to climb, and here is how the team can still reach the final of the ODI tri-nation tournament.

How Bangladesh can qualify for tri-nation series final

Interestingly, the upcoming Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan match in the tri-series can make Bangladesh’s job easier. If Zimbabwe continues their winning streak and beat the Afghan side, then Bangladesh will only have to beat Afghanistan in their match to qualify for the finals.

However, things would get complicated if Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe (which is very much possible). In such a scenario, even if Bangladesh defeats Afghanistan, all three teams will have an equal number of points, and the two finalists will be decided on net run rate.

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What Bangladesh needs to do to improve vs Afghanistan?

Bangladesh needs to do a couple of things right before the next game to beat Afghanistan and have a shot at the final.

In the match against Zimbabwe, the Tigers had the Chevrons on the backfoot as Zimbabwe had lost three early wickets. However, the Asian side allowed partnerships to be built, and it helped the opposition score 271.

Bangladesh needs to improve their middle-overs bowling, so as to not allow the same thing to be repeated against Afghanistan.

Also, their batting came under scrutiny in the tri-series tournament opener. Chasing 272, the side had scored a brisk 4 runs, before disaster struck.

From 47-1 to 172 all-out, the Tigers crumbled under pressure, and this needs to be avoided against Afghanistan, who are generally good in choking the flow of runs in the middle overs.