Why Is Richard Ngarava Not Playing In ZIM vs BAN 3rd ODI?

Richard Ngarava is not playing ZIM vs BAN 3rd ODI | PC- AFP

In a major update, Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava is not playing in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Saturday.

The Chevrons have already taken an unassailable lead against the Asian team in the three-match ODI series, and they would look to whitewash the Tigers in the final game.

In the left-arm quick's absence, the T20I captain and star all-rounder, Sikandar Raza, will handle the reins of the host team. Notably, Ngarava was appointed as Zimbabwe's Test and ODI captain ahead of the ongoing home series.

Richard Ngarava, Muzarabani, Nyamhuri rested for 3rd ODI vs BAN

While confirming Richard Ngarava's absence, the stand-in captain Sikandar Raza stated that the regular skipper is rested to manage his workload.

Apart from the left-arm seamer, Blessing Muzarabani and Newman Nyamhuri have also been rested.

"Richard is fine, its one of those policies of ours to look after our workload. If you look at Richard's history with the back and also the games he has played. So it was important to give him a rest as well. We've rested him with some of the other guys," Sikandar Raza said at the toss.

It is worth noting that the Zimbabwean skipper has been the second-highest wicket-taker in the series, with 6 wickets, only after Nahid Rana, who has taken 7 wickets.

As the Chevrons have rested three of their fast bowlers, an experienced but impressive trio of Wellington Masakadza, Tanaka Chivanga, and Ernest Masuku has been brought into the Zimbabwe playing XI vs Bangladesh for the third ODI.

Young Zimbabwe yet to loss a game vs BAN

Zimbabwe, after making a bunch of changes to their squad, have performed extremely well vs Bangladesh. The hosts started off the series with a victory by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off Test.

Then, in ODIs, despite getting tossed for 141 runs in the first game, the Chevrons came back from behind to rattle the visitors for just 116 runs.

In the following match, Ben Curran and skipper Richard Ngarava headlined as the hosts thrashed the opposition by 13 runs to take the series.

It is worth mentioning, Bangladesh have yet to win a match on this tour, although they have been hit with untimely injuries to Litton Das and Mustafizur Rahman, who has been replaced by Mohammad Saifuddin.

Zimbabwe's packed calendar

A rest for Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Newman Nyamhuri was well and truly needed, given the fact that these three seamers are a part of the three T20Is against Bangladesh, which will begin four days after the ODIs.

Moreover, Zimbabwe are set to play a three-match T20I series vs India soon after ZIM vs BAN. Later, they are scheduled to play home ODIs against Australia in September.