Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe seek to rebuild in tri-nation

clash Dhaka, Jan 14 (AFP) Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabweall have a point to prove when they battle each other in atri-nation one-day tourna...

clash Dhaka, Jan 14 (AFP) Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabweall have a point to prove when they battle each other in atri-nation one-day tournament in Dhaka from tomorrow.

The home nation, without a coach, are licking theirwounds from a disastrous tour of South Africa. Sri Lanka havejust had their worst year in international cricket. AndZimbabwe are on edge after a thrashing by the Proteas thatblunted their run-up to a crucial World Cup qualifyingtournament in March.

The event, staged at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla NationalStadium, is Bangladesh's first home engagement in more than ayear, and follows three heavy ODI defeats in South Africa inOctober.

Bangladesh have become a strong one-day team in recenttimes, notably reaching the Champions Trophy semi-finals lastyear. But they were brutally exposed by the Proteas, asdefeats by 10 wickets, 104 runs and 200 runs highlighted howmuch further they have to go.

"This tri-nation tournament is really important for us.

Everyone is upset after the South Africa tour. Now, if we canwin this tournament, everything can be changed," said skipperMashrafe Mortaza.

The task has been made more difficult by the resignationof coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who chose to return to hisnative Sri Lanka. Hathurusingha makes his debut as Sri Lanka'scoach in this tournament.

The 49-year-old former batsman resigned in the middle ofthe South Africa tour, though the decision was only madepublic in December.

Former national captain Khaled Mahmud is in interimcharge as team director, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board hasyet to indicate when a permanent replacement will be named.

- Sri Lanka turmoil - ===================== Hathurusingha travels to Bangladesh with his ownproblems, as his new team come out of a demoralising year.

Former World Cup winners Sri Lanka won only five of 29one-day internationals in 2017.

The country's cricket authorities changed captain twicein six months after influential all-rounder Angelo Mathewsstepped down in July, highlighting the turmoil in the nationalgame.

Mathews has been re-appointed as Sri Lanka's limited overcaptain ahead of 2019 World Cup, for which they were the finalteam to qualify.

Meanwhile underdogs Zimbabwe, who face Bangladesh in thefirst game of the tri-nation competition Monday, are lookingfor a lift ahead of hosting a World Cup 2019 qualifyingtournament in March.

Last month they lost a Test in South Africa by an inningsand 120 runs inside two days of what was intended to be ahistoric four-day day-night Test. The match lasted just 907balls.

Zimbabwe will be boosted by the return of Brendan Taylorand Kyle Jarvis, who have not played one-day internationalssince 2015 and 2013 respectively.

Coach Heath Streak has indicated that Zimbabwe willdevote more energy to one-day games, due to limited Testopportunities.

The three teams will play each other twice in the two-week tournament, which ends with a final on January 27.

Bangladesh Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal,Imrul Kayes, Anamul Haque, Mohammad Mahmudullah, MushfiqurRahim, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, MehediHasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, MohammadSaifuddin, Sunzamul Islam.

Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews (capt), Upul Tharanga, DanushkaGunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal JanithPerera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella,Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, ShehanMadushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and WaniduHasaranga.

Zimbabwe Graeme Cremer (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire,Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor,Malcolm Waller, Ryan Murray, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta,Blessing Muzarabani, Christopher Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, KyleJarvis. (AFP)AT.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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