Bangladesh intent on continuing their outstanding form in 2026 against buoyant Zimbabwe
Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe
A fierce Bangladesh cricket team is embarking on a first away tour this year after touching down in Zimbabwe for a one-off Test, 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is starting this Sunday. Bangladesh are slowly becoming a complete cricketing side in at least the longer formats but this year they have been absolutely remarkable. Always a force to reckon at home, the sub-continent nation has lost only one series this year in all formats. Brushing aside the heartbreak of not playing in this year's T20 World Cup due to political reasons, Bangladesh cricket team has won ODIs by a margin of 2-1 versus Pakistan, New Zealand & Australia followed by a 2-0 Test series win versus Pakistan, a 1-1 draw in the shortest format with New Zealand but lost their previous T20I series 0-3 to Australia, albeit all at home in the past three months.
The impressive part of this run has been the successful transition post the absence of the golden generation in Bangladesh cricket. Only Mushiqur Rahim remains a part of this side in Test cricket but the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and others have played excellent cricket to convert them into a formidable side in International cricket. The next step of this journey involves continuing this consistency away from home. Even with a brilliant track record at home, they have not been afforded chances with bigger nations, especially Australia & England on the road for both their International & A teams. Things are finally going to change when they will travel to Australia in August this year for a two-match Test series, their maiden foray Downunder since 2008 for a bi-lateral series. There are also chances of Bangladesh playing a one-off Test next year in England as part of their preparation for the Ashes but an official confirmation is still awaited. Although tougher challenges await them in the near future, they will initially stop on the Zimbabwean shores battling across all three formats.
Bangladesh last toured Zimbabwe in 2022 when they lost both the ODI & T20I series 2-1 to the host nation. Zimbabwe are overjoyed by a Super Eight result at the recent T20 World Cup in India & Sri Lanka where they defeated both Australia & Sri Lanka in the Group Stage and progressed to the next round, their first such achievement in T20 World Cup history. The result was even sweeter for the Sikandar Raza-led side given they failed to qualify for the 2024 edition and Raza was leading a group of youngsters, most of whom made their maiden appearance at the biggest stage. This series will be their first taste of cricket for the hosts since that run in February-March and head coach Justin Sammons will be hoping they put up a strong show in front of their home fans.
Bangladesh lead Zimbabwe 9-8 from 20 Test matches which include three draws
Although Zimbabwe in not part of the World Test Championship, they enjoyed a rare crowded red-ball Calendar last year playing a total of 10 Test matches against the likes of England, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Bangladesh & Afghanistan. Though they lost eight of those ten games, Zimbabwe won a commanding Test match on their tour to Bangladesh in spin-friendly conditions securing a 1-1 series draw and ended the year with an innings win versus Afghanistan at home. With a high possibility of all three full-member nations Zimbabwe, Ireland & Afghanistan being included in the World Test Championship next year, the African nation will aim to turn a few heads with these limited chances in the longest format. Zimbabwe have always enjoyed a strong multi-day domestic competition as compared to both Ireland & Afghanistan which provides them an option to choose from a higher pool of players possessing experience with the red-ball. Regular tours of English County and MCC teams before the start of their season to Zimbabwe and exposure to the Zimbabwe A side with full-member nations also help.
The hosts are bolstered by the presence of experienced heads Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor and the 39-year old Graeme Cremer who might feature for the first time in red-ball cricket since his return to International cricket but the mantle now lies in the hands of their youngsters who will take this team forward in the future. Zimbabwe Cricket Board and selectors appointed Richard Ngarava their Test and ODI captain in late 2025 who took over the captaincy from Craig Ervine and this will be his debut series in-charge. Openers Brian Bennett, who has already become an all-format superstar for his side at an age of 22 and Ben Curran, brother of Sam and Tom Curran will provide stability at the top. Middle-order will comprise of the Kaia brothers, Roy and Innocent, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere. Tafadzwa Tsiga will don the gloves behind the wicket. The fast-bowling will be headed by captain Ngarava & Blessing Muzarabani as Brad Evans & Tanaka Chivanga might play as change-up bowlers.
Bangladesh are enjoying a fast-bowling resurgence in all formats and the selectors are keen on expanding the pool with every opportunity. They have rested the likes of Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam from this match giving a chance to Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and uncapped all-rounder Robiul Haque. Mahmud recently became only the second Bangladeshi to feature in the County Championship after Shakib Al Hasan and took 9 wickets for Kent on debut which included a 6-69 in the second innings. The Najmul Hossain Shanto led-side have also rested Mehidy Hasan Miraz for the one-off Test but Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan are present.
Openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy will continue their partnership at the top with captain Shanto, Monimul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim form the middle order. Regular wicket-keeper Litton Das has been ruled due to a left calf muscle strain but will be back for the ODI series according to the physios. Amite Hasan should take the gloves in his debut game. Spare opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim who recently made his debut against Pakistan has been included while Mahidul Islam Ankon has replaced Litton Das. The selectors have also added Towhid Hridoy in the squad with a view of increasing the run scoring at a higher rate. 25-year Hridoy has played 16 First Class games and scored 983 runs at an average of 44.68.
Harare Sports Club will host it's 41st Test match and only the second in past 5 years as their Board has preferred the Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo as the preferred ground for Test cricket in recent times. Harare has offered good batting wickets previously with the teams opting to bat 5 times in the past 6 games. In the previous match against Afghanistan last year, the pitch had enough help for the fast bowlers. Brad Evans and Richard Nagarava took fifers for Zimbabwe in an innings win while Zia-ur Rahman finished with 7-97 for the visitors. Ben Curran scored his maiden test century. The weather is supposed to be sunny reaching a maximum of 23° C with no chance of rain. Harare will also host the ODI leg of this tour followed by three T20Is at Bulawayo.
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