The last time these two teams met, Zimbabwe defended just 141 and won by 25 runs, even though Nahid Rana took 6 for 21 for Bangladesh. Now they open the UAE ODI tri-series in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and plenty has changed since July. Bangladesh have a new captain in Litton Das. Zimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza, with Richard Ngarava out injured. Afghanistan are the third team in the series.
Match Details
- Match: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI, UAE ODI Tri-Series
- Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Time: Around 3:30 PM UAE time (11:30 AM GMT)
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Format: 50 overs per side, day/night
Listings give slightly different start times, so check the final time on the day.
Why This Match Matters
The tri-series is short. Each team plays the other two once, and the top two reach the final on 23 October. That means every side gets only two group games, so an opening win puts a team in a strong spot straight away.
For Bangladesh, this is a chance to settle a score. They lost the July ODI series 2-1 in Harare, and they now start a new era under Litton, who replaced Mehidy Hasan Miraz as ODI captain with the 2027 World Cup in sight. They also arrive straight from a five-day Test at this same ground, so they won’t need time to adjust.
For Zimbabwe, the mood is mixed. They were beaten 3-0 at home by Australia last month. But they beat Bangladesh in July, and a good start here would take the sting out of the Australia series. This is also the first stop on a month-long UAE tour that includes three T20Is and two Tests against Afghanistan.
Series Schedule
The series hasn’t started, so there’s no points table yet.
| Match | Date | Teams | Venue |
| 1st ODI | Sat, 17 Oct | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | Abu Dhabi |
| 2nd ODI | Mon, 19 Oct | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe | Abu Dhabi |
| 3rd ODI | Wed, 21 Oct | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | Sharjah |
| Final | Fri, 23 Oct | Top two teams | Abu Dhabi |
Head-to-Head: Recent ODI Series
Zimbabwe have been the tougher opponent lately.
| Year | Venue | Result |
| 2026 | Harare | Zimbabwe won 2-1 |
| 2022 | Harare | Zimbabwe won 2-1 |
| 2021 | Harare | Bangladesh won 3-0 |
Squads and Recent Form
Bangladesh
Litton Das (c, wk), Tawhid Hridoy (vc), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.
Aliss Al Islam, an off-spinner, has his first ODI call-up. Their form is mixed. Their last outing was the Test against Afghanistan, which ended in a draw on Tuesday after Afghanistan survived the final day. Litton scored 102 and 53 and was named player of the match, while Hasan Mahmud took 5 for 55. In July, though, they lost the first two ODIs in Harare before winning the third by seven wickets. Nahid Rana, who took 6 for 21 in the first game, isn’t in this squad.
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wesley Madhere.
Tsiga, a wicketkeeper-batter, and Masekesa, a leg-spinner, come in for Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer, who were dropped after the Australia series. Zimbabwe’s July win was a gritty one. They were 70 for 8 before Newman Nyamhuri made a career-best 33 from number nine and Ngarava added 27, getting them to 141. Then Ngarava and Brad Evans both took three wickets.
Expected Playing XI
These are guesses based on the squads and recent matches, so expect changes.
| Bangladesh | Zimbabwe |
| Tanzid Hasan Tamim | Brian Bennett |
| Soumya Sarkar | Tadiwanashe Marumani |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Ben Curran |
| Tawhid Hridoy (vc) | Craig Ervine |
| Litton Das (c, wk) | Sikandar Raza (c) |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Ryan Burl |
| Rishad Hossain | Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk) |
| Taskin Ahmed | Newman Nyamhuri |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Brad Evans |
| Hasan Mahmud | Blessing Muzarabani |
| Tanvir Islam | Vincent Masekesa |
Players to Watch
- Litton Das (Bangladesh): He’s captain, wicketkeeper, and in form. A Test hundred and fifty last week should give him confidence.
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim (Bangladesh): He hit 83 off 71 balls in the Test, and he attacks from ball one. Zimbabwe’s new-ball bowlers will have to answer him early.
- Hasan Mahmud (Bangladesh): His five-wicket haul against Afghanistan came a few days ago. He can swing the new ball and get quick wickets.
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): He’s the heart of this Zimbabwe side, both as captain and as an all-rounder. In the 2022 series against Bangladesh, he scored back-to-back ODI centuries and was named player of the series.
- Newman Nyamhuri (Zimbabwe): He was player of the match in July with 33 and 2 for 22. If he fires again, Zimbabwe’s lower order gets a big boost.
Key Battles
- Blessing Muzarabani vs Bangladesh’s top order. In July, he removed both Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto early, and they made only 8 and 3. If he repeats that, Bangladesh are in trouble again.
- Bangladesh’s spinners vs Zimbabwe’s middle order. Mehidy, Rishad and possibly Aliss Al Islam will aim at Raza, Burl and Ervine. If those three stay in, Zimbabwe can reach a decent score. If they fall, the innings can collapse quickly.
- Taskin and Hasan Mahmud vs Zimbabwe’s openers. Bennett and Marumani have to see off the new ball. Zimbabwe were 45 for 4 after 13 overs in July, so the start matters a lot.
Today Cricket Match Prediction
Bangladesh should have the edge. They have a deeper squad, they’ve just played at this ground, and Zimbabwe are missing their ODI captain and coming off a heavy series defeat. But Zimbabwe beat them twice in July, and they have the bowlers to make runs difficult to score. We’re backing Bangladesh to win, in what could be a close, low-scoring game if the pitch helps the bowlers.
Conclusion
Neither team wants to open the series with a loss. Expect plenty of spin in the middle overs and a result that could go either way. This match is set to take place at 3:30 PM UAE time (11:30 AM GMT) at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Follow PB77 for the latest updates and betting predictions!