Still smarting from a 3-0 defeat at the hands of South Africa, Zimbabwe's cricket team hopes to rally back when it takes on Bangladesh on Sunday in an International Cricket Council World Cup preparatory match at the Harare Sports Club.

Nonetheless, the Bangladesh Tigers are not taking Zimbabwe lightly despite beating the local squad 5-0 the last time they faced off. Bangladesh is on a 10-day tour in the country, with further matches scheduled Tuesday and next Friday and Saturday.

The week's matches provide the basis for selection of the final Zimbabwe team to go to the West Indies next month to participate in the ICC World Cup. Zimbabwe Cricket is under pressure to name the team by a Feb. 13 ICC-imposed deadline.

Cricket commentator Elvis Sembezeya told reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that he is doubtful whether Zimbabwe can pull off an upset even though the team will be playing Sunday on its home ground.

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