Miraz said the team wanted to take advantage of the early moisture on the pitch and hoped that the top-order batters would create partnerships later in the chase.
“We want to bowl first. There is a little moisture and we want to take advantage of it. Yes, I think we have (need) to create a partnership, the batsmen are top-order. I think this is a good opportunity for every batter. I think the wickets look good. If we play well, it will definitely be better. It is very good and the confidence is there, but still it is the new ground, new conditions, so that we have to play positively.
Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava said his side is up for the challenge despite the switch from Test cricket to the 50-over format.
“Not at all. I feel the team is ready and all the batsmen are ready to face whatever comes our way. Well, of course, you have to do some touch-ups to get into the ODI series, which is very different from test cricket where you just wait for that bad ball. Raza and at 15 today we have Raza, which is great to have him back in the squad.
Expect the pitch to help the seamers early
The pitch report suggests that the new surface will help the fast bowlers in the opening hours because of the humidity, grass cover and cloudy conditions.
The largest boundary measures 75 meters, while the shortest straight boundary is 68 meters. The surface has a healthy grass cover and is expected to provide more bounce, seam movement and a bit of nip in the early part of the innings.
Cracks in front of the stumps can also make the ball unpredictable if the bowlers hit the right spots. The batters are expected to face their toughest challenge in the first 10 overs before conditions improve for stroke-making later in the day.
Playing XI:
Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava (capt), Blessing Muzarabani.