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BAN vs ZIM Fantasy Team Prediction takes center stage as Zimbabwe head into the second ODI with a 1-0 lead after pulling off one of the most unlikely wins of the year in the series opener. The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, July 9, with play starting at 7:30 AM local time (11:00 AM IST).
Defending just 141, a total that looked nowhere near enough at the halfway mark, Zimbabwe somehow bowled Bangladesh out for 116. It’s now the fourth lowest total Zimbabwe have ever successfully defended in ODI cricket. Bangladesh will want answers fast, having just watched a routine looking chase completely fall apart in the second half.
Match Details
Match: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI, Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM local (Harare), 11:00 AM IST
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Zimbabwe Captain: Richard Ngarava
Bangladesh Captain: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Watch live: FanCode
What Happened In The Series Opener
Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 141, and at that stage this looked like a routine chase for Bangladesh. It very much wasn’t. An unbeaten 63 run stand for the ninth wicket between Newman Nyamhuri and captain Richard Ngarava had at least given the total some respectability, and once Bangladesh came out to bat, Blessing Muzarabani and Ngarava tore through the top order with the new ball.
Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan briefly steadied things for Bangladesh, but once Hridoy fell, the chase completely unraveled. Brad Evans picked up three wickets, Ngarava added three of his own, and Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 116, handing Zimbabwe a 25 run win. Newman Nyamhuri was named Player of the Match for his all round contribution with bat and ball. Bangladesh’s own Nahid Rana was actually the standout performer by some statistical measures, finishing with excellent figures with the ball despite ending up on the losing side.
Zimbabwe captain Ngarava said afterward that the belief in the group never wavered even when things looked bleak, while Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted his side would be disappointed with how their batting unit performed once the platform had been laid.
Team Form Last 5
Zimbabwe: W L L W L
That win over Bangladesh is Zimbabwe’s most recent result, following a rougher stretch against Sri Lanka and Ireland last year. It continues a strong recent run for Zimbabwean cricket, coming right after their Test win over this same Bangladesh side just days earlier.
Bangladesh: L L W W W
Bangladesh’s loss in the series opener snapped what had otherwise been a strong run of results, including series wins in both New Zealand and against Australia earlier this year.
Head to Head ZIM vs BAN
Bangladesh lead the overall head to head comfortably, winning 7 of the last 10 meetings, though Zimbabwe have won the most recent match.
- 1st ODI, Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe 2026: Zimbabwe made 141, Bangladesh fell short at 116 in 33.1 overs. Zimbabwe won by 25 runs.
- 3rd ODI, ZIM vs BAN 2022: Zimbabwe were held to 132.2 overs for a total not fully specified in this snippet, Bangladesh chased it down for 256/9. Bangladesh won.
- 2nd ODI, ZIM vs BAN 2022: Zimbabwe made 291/5, Bangladesh chased it down for 290/9. Zimbabwe won.
- 1st ODI, ZIM vs BAN 2022: Zimbabwe posted 307/5, Bangladesh fell short at 303/2. Zimbabwe won.
- 3rd ODI, BAN vs ZIM 2021: Zimbabwe made 298, Bangladesh chased it down for 302/5. Bangladesh won.
Team Comparison Overall
Zimbabwe: Win rate of 30 percent, averaging 202 runs per innings, with a best of 299 and a worst of just 54.
Bangladesh: Win rate of 60 percent, averaging a higher 207 runs per innings, with a best of 290 and a worst of 114.
Bangladesh have the far stronger overall record, which makes the series opener result even more striking. Zimbabwe’s win came against the run of play in almost every sense.
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
This is a well used venue with 133 matches on record. Teams bowling first have won 54 percent of the time against 42 percent for teams batting first. Average first innings total sits at 228, with second innings totals slightly lower at 207, both considerably higher than what either side actually managed in the series opener.
Pace bowling has dominated here, taking 65 percent of wickets across the last 10 matches compared to 35 percent for spin, and it was pace bowling from both sides that decided the opener too.
Toss verdict: Bowl first if you win it. The venue history favours chasing, even though Zimbabwe managed to defend a modest total in the last match here.
Par score: Based on the venue’s long term history, something in the 220 to 240 range would normally be considered a strong total, though the series opener showed just how much can still go wrong even when defending far less than that.
Weather Report For July 9 In Harare
- Temperature: Around 10.7 degrees Celsius, notably cold for cricket
- Conditions: Hazy sunshine
- Humidity: 63 percent
- Rain chance: 1 percent
Conditions look clean for a full match, with minimal rain risk, though the cold temperature could be a factor for players and could offer some early assistance to the bowlers with the new ball.
Zimbabwe Playing XI
From the series opener, Zimbabwe’s XI was: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wicketkeeper), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava (captain), Blessing Muzarabani.
Bangladesh Playing XI
From the series opener, Bangladesh’s XI was: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.
Players To Watch
Richard Ngarava, Zimbabwe
Captained his side to a genuinely improbable win in the opener, contributing both with the bat in that crucial ninth wicket stand and with the ball in the collapse that followed. His composure under pressure was the difference in the last match.
Newman Nyamhuri, Zimbabwe
Player of the Match in the series opener for his all round contribution, and the man most responsible for Zimbabwe having any total to defend at all.
Nahid Rana, Bangladesh
Bowled superbly in the series opener even in a losing effort, and Bangladesh will need another strong showing from him with the new ball if they’re going to level the series.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s captain will be looking for a response after a batting unit he openly admitted was disappointing in the opener. His own composure with both bat and ball will matter enormously in a series where Bangladesh remain favourites on paper.
Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe
One of Zimbabwe’s most experienced white ball players, and a genuine all round threat capable of shifting momentum in either discipline.
BAN vs ZIM Match Prediction
Bangladesh remain the stronger side on paper, with a far superior overall record and only one truly poor outing to explain in the series opener. Zimbabwe, though, will take real confidence from pulling off a win that looked highly unlikely at the halfway stage, and home conditions plus a red hot bowling unit give them a genuine platform to build on.
Our prediction leans Bangladesh to respond and level the series, purely on the strength of their deeper batting lineup and the fact that a repeat of Zimbabwe defending such a low total feels unlikely two matches running. That said, Zimbabwe have already shown they’re capable of the unexpected on this ground.
Also Read- India’s Biggest T20I Defeats By Runs, After A New Low Against England
Best Fantasy XI For BAN vs ZIM Tonight
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nurul Hasan | BAN | Wicketkeeper |
| Richard Ngarava (Captain) | ZIM | Bowler |
| Towhid Hridoy (Vice Captain) | BAN | Batter |
| Craig Ervine | ZIM | Batter |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | BAN | Batter |
| Sikandar Raza | ZIM | All Rounder |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | BAN | All Rounder |
| Newman Nyamhuri | ZIM | Bowler |
| Nahid Rana | BAN | Bowler |
| Blessing Muzarabani | ZIM | Bowler |
| Taskin Ahmed | BAN | Bowler |
Captain: Richard Ngarava. Delivered with both bat and ball in a genuinely matchwinning performance in the opener, and leads a Zimbabwe side full of confidence heading into this game.
Vice Captain: Towhid Hridoy. Was the one Bangladesh batter who looked settled during the chase before his dismissal changed the course of the match. A bigger contribution from him this time could be exactly what Bangladesh need.
FANTASY
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Q: What time does the 2nd ODI start in India?
A: 11:00 AM IST on Thursday, July 9. Local start time in Harare is 7:30 AM.
Q: What happened in the first ODI?
A: Zimbabwe were bowled out for 141 but successfully defended it, bowling Bangladesh out for 116 to win by 25 runs, their fourth lowest total ever successfully defended in ODI cricket.
Q: Who leads the series after the first ODI?
A: Zimbabwe lead 1-0 in the three match series.
Q: Should the toss winner bat or bowl first at Harare Sports Club?
A: Bowl first. Teams chasing have won 54 percent of matches at this venue historically, even though Zimbabwe successfully defended a low total in the last match here.
Q: Who was Player of the Match in the first ODI?
A: Newman Nyamhuri, for his all round contribution with both bat and ball for Zimbabwe.
Q: Where can I watch Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe live?
A: FanCode has live coverage of the match.