The first game of Zimbabwe’s tour of West Indies will be played at the Port-of-Spain in Trinidad. There are five more ODIs to follow after this solitary T20I.

Zimbabwe did win their opening game against a UWI Vice Chancellor XI’s team, but even against a side which is probably a fourth-string West Indian side, the visitors had to struggle to escape. It is difficult to see Zimbabwe to beat West Indies, especially given that they had lost the series to Bangladesh as well, 1-4. West Indies go into the game as favourites (1/4 at 888Sport as compared to 4/1 at Boylesports for Zimbabwe to make it 1-0 in their favour), and apart from a miracle, should win the game.

West Indies has a new look to their side from the one that had played in Australia. Denesh Ramdin (12/1 at Coral to top-score for West Indies) leads the side in the absence of Chris Gayle – who has been rested – and Adrian Barath (4/1 at Totesport to be the best batsman for his side) makes a return to the team as well. Darren Bravo (11/2 at 888Sport to top-score for West Indies) had a fruitful Champions League T20 as well, and there is a good chance that he will make it to the playing eleven, while the biggest piece of news is that Shivnaraine Chanderpaul (4/1 at Totesport to be West Indies’ best batsman) makes a comeback into the side after a string of injuries.

Zimbabwe’s biggest advantage is that most of its players are unknown to the opposition, but the question is whether any of their top-order guys in Hamilton Masakadza (5/1 at Bet Fred) or Brendan Taylor (5/1 at Boylesports to be Zimbabwe’s top-score) can rake up some big scores. Tatenda Taibu (5/1 at Totesport to top-score for his side) slammed a century in the practice game and given his experience at the top-level could be the one to look out for, while Charles Coventry (6/1 at 888Sport to top-score for Zimbabwe), who had just seen his record for highest individual score in ODIs broken by Sachin Tendulkar, will look to make T20Is his own.

Tips:
Favourites: West Indies (1/4 at 888Sport)
Top West Indian batsman: Adrian Barath (4/1 at Totesport)
Top Zimbabwean batsman: Tatenda Taibu (5/1 at Totesport)