Bangladesh will be without Litton Das for Sunday’s series opener in Harare, a Grade I calf strain that has ruled him out with almost no chance of playing, according to the team’s own physio. That single absence reshapes the top of Bangladesh’s order, while Zimbabwe hand first-time ODI captaincy to Richard Ngarava as they field a side stacked with recalls. Neither XI is officially confirmed yet, but the shape of both is already fairly clear from squad announcements and reported plans.
The Fitness Call Ruling Out Litton
Bangladesh’s physio, Bayzedul Islam Khan, has said the chance of Litton playing in the first ODI is almost nil, though he should be available for the second and third matches if he clears the team’s fitness tests. The issue is a Grade I strain in his left calf, picked up in mid-June during the ODI series against Australia.
Litton missed all three T20Is against Australia and the one-off Test in Zimbabwe as a result. He did not travel with the ODI squad, underwent a scan before departure, and was advised further rest before arriving in Harare on July 1. An earlier report had claimed he had regained full fitness, but that was superseded by the physio’s later update.
Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Playing XI
With Litton out, Bangladesh’s top order changes shape: Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan Tamim are expected to open, with Sohan stepping in as wicketkeeper-batter. Mehidy Miraz returns as captain after missing the third ODI against Australia through concussion protocols, and Shanto continues as his deputy.
Zimbabwe’s side has its own team news, built around Ngarava’s first match in charge of the fifty-over side. Neither line-up has been officially released, and both predicted XIs below are built from squad announcements and reported plans rather than confirmed team sheets.
Zimbabwe (Predicted) | Role | Position |
Marumani (wk) | WK-batter | Opener |
Kaia | Top-order batter | Opener |
Bennett | Batter | No.3 |
Curran | Batter | No.4 |
Ervine | Senior batter | No.5 |
Raza | Batting all-rounder | No.6 |
Burl | Leg-spin all-rounder | No.7 |
Madhevere | Left-arm spin all-rounder | No.8 |
Ngarava (c) | Pace bowler | No.9 |
Muzarabani | Pace bowler | No.10 |
Evans / Nyamhuri | Pace bowler | No.11 |
Bangladesh (Predicted) | Role | Position |
Soumya Sarkar | Opening batter | Opener |
Tanzid Hasan Tamim | Opening batter | Opener |
Shanto (vc) | Batter | No.3 |
Hridoy | Batter | No.4 |
Mosaddek Hossain | Batting all-rounder | No.5 |
Sohan (wk) | WK-batter | No.6 |
Mehidy Miraz (c) | Off-spin all-rounder | No.7 |
Rishad Hossain | Leg-spin bowler | No.8 |
Mustafizur | Pace bowler | No.9 |
Taskin | Pace bowler | No.10 |
Nahid Rana | Pace bowler | No.11 |
The Order Replacing Their Injured Opener
Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan Tamim take over the openers’ spots Litton would ordinarily occupy, with Shanto and Hridoy following at three and four. Mosaddek Hossain, player of the series against Australia with 157 runs in three matches after a four-year absence, slots in at five, ahead of Sohan as the specialist gloveman.
The bowling attack leans on the same senior pairing throughout: Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed with the new ball, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana as support seam, and a spin trio of Mehidy Miraz, Rishad Hossain and Tanvir Islam. Shoriful could yet replace Rana depending on conditions.
The New Captain Leading The Hosts
Ngarava leads Zimbabwe for the first time in the fifty-over format, taking over from Sean Williams, who remains in rehabilitation and is not being considered for selection. His pace attack keeps the same core that caused problems at the T20 World Cup this year: himself, Muzarabani and Evans, with Nyamhuri and Masuku also in the squad.
The batting order carries several recalls. Kaia returns for his first ODI since December 2023, on the back of a maiden Test century against this exact opponent in June. Burl is back since January 2024, while Marumani and Masakadza return since February 2025. Dropped entirely are Taylor, Williams, Campbell, Munyonga and Gwandu.
The Uncertainty Still Hanging Over Both Sides
Both line-ups remain unconfirmed heading into Sunday. Zimbabwe could still swap in Masakadza for a pace option to add a third specialist spinner, and Bangladesh’s seam combination may change depending on conditions. The match starts at 7:30am GMT, 9:30am local, at Harare Sports Club.
Until either board names its side, the Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 1st ODI playing XI picture described here remains the best available reading of the evidence, and both team sheets are worth checking again closer to the toss.
Which selection call matters more, Bangladesh’s opening pair without Litton or Zimbabwe’s new middle order? Share your thoughts below.
FAQs
Is Litton Das playing in the 1st ODI?
No, he has been ruled out with almost no chance of playing. The Grade I calf strain rules him out, with a return targeted for the second and third ODIs on July 9 and 11.
Who captains Bangladesh in this ODI series?
Mehidy Hasan Miraz captains the side, with Najmul Hossain Shanto as vice-captain. Miraz returns for this series after missing the third ODI against Australia earlier this year due to concussion protocols.
What is Zimbabwe’s playing XI for the 1st ODI?
Zimbabwe’s XI has not been officially announced, though a lineup can be predicted. Marumani and Kaia are expected to open, with Raza and Burl in the middle order and Ngarava leading the attack.
Who replaces Litton Das in the Bangladesh XI?
Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan takes over as wicketkeeper in the batting order. Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan Tamim form the new opening pair in his absence, with Najmul Hossain Shanto following at three.
When does the 1st ODI start?
The match starts on July 6, 2026, at Harare Sports Club. First ball is at 7:30am GMT, which is 9:30am local time in Harare, opening a three-match series between the two sides.