ODI Tri-Nation Series in UAE 2026: Match 1, Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Match Prediction - Who will win today's match between BAN and ZIM?

Bangladesh (BAN) is set to take on Zimbabwe (ZIM) in the opening fixture of the ODI Tri-Nation Series in UAE 2026 on Saturday, October 17, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh come into the series on the back of a thrilling drawn Test match they played against Afghanistan. They meet Zimbabwe, whom they were unable to beat in a series recently, losing 2-1. This is the first ODI assignment for captain Litton Das, after having taken over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, come into this series after having played in a T20I tri-series involving South Africa and Namibia. They made their way to the finals before losing to the Proteas. They will be looking to put on a strong performance in this series.

BAN vs ZIM: Match Details

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi: Pitch Report

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi offers a balanced surface that tends to favour batters early on before slowing down and assisting spinners and slower bowlers as the match progresses. The team winning the toss would want to bat first, with the heat wearing the pitch down in the second innings, making it difficult to score. Spinners and seamers who hit the deck could get help from the surface.

BAN vs ZIM: Head-to-Head ODI Record

BAN vs ZIM: Predicted Playing 11s

Bangladesh

Litton Das (c/wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Saif Hassan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mosaddek Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

Zimbabwe

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhavere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu

BAN vs ZIM: Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Litton Das

The newly-appointed skipper comes into the series in fine form, having scored a half-century and a century in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan. He will be looking to lead from the front in his first game as skipper of the side.

Probable Best Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani

The tall quick could play a key role in this clash. Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani is his side's key strike bowler, and could pose a threat on the Abu Dhabi pitch, which offers variable bounce. His hit-the-deck bowling troubled the Bangladesh batters in the ODI series, and he will be looking to continue the same form.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match