Bangla, Zimbabwe to vie for wooden spoon

Bangladesh will have more to prove than Zimbabwe in an inconsequential Champions qualifier on Friday.

Bangladesh will have more to prove than Zimbabwe when the two teams clash in an inconsequential Champions Trophy qualifying match.

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Both the sides are out of the reckoning following two defeats each in as many matches, against Sri Lanka and the West Indies who have clinched the two spots available in the Super Eight stage.

That is very much in keeping with the script but last night's defeat against the Caribbeans must have hurt the Asian team more than the two maulings the African minnows have suffered in the biennial event.

Zimbabwe were handed a nine-wicket thrashing after being bundled out for 85 by title holders West Indies and then Sri Lanka pasted them to register a 144-run victory.

Nothing more could have been expected of a team that has been stripped of its Test status and comprises a bunch of raw youngsters whose average age is 21.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have consistently flattered to deceive. They started the tournament with a reasonable performance against the Lankans in the first tie at Mohali where they held themselves while chasing a tall target of 304.