Tigers to face off depleted Zimbabwe in whites

In international cricket, the Bangladesh cricket team is currently touring Zimbabwe for Test, ODI, and T20I bilateral series. The tour is set to begin with the only Test match of the series on July 7 at the Harare Sports Club. The tour also includes 3 ODIs and 3 T20I matches. The ODI and T20I matches will all be played at the same venue.

Since 2001, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have met in a total of 17 Test matches. Where Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have won an equal number of 7 matches and 3 of them have been drawn. The last time these two teams met was in February 2020 in a Test series in Bangladesh. Zimbabwe lost to the hosts by an innings and 106 runs in that 1-match series. However, Zimbabwe played their last 2-match Test series against visiting Pakistan, where they were whitewashed against Pakistan.

Bangladesh lost their last Test series against hosts Sri Lanka, where they played 2 matches. The Tigers drew the first match but lost the last match to the Lankans by a large margin. However, out of the last 5 Test matches, Bangladesh has won only 1 match. That is also against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has won just one of their last 5 Test matches, which was against Afghanistan.

So statistically, both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are in equal positions and a great fight is expected between them. The Zimbabwean players are playing on their own soil, which will give them some extra advantage and they will be a little more confident. But, with Bangladesh’s last win in a Test match against Zimbabwe, the Tigers are now confident against this opponent. They will be on the hunt to do well in this series.

Note that Bangladesh is ranked 9th and Zimbabwe is ranked 10th in the ICC Test rankings. Both teams need to give their best in this series in order to build a stronger position in the points table.

Test Squad:

Zimbabwe – Sean Williams (c), Regis Chakabva, Tanaka Chivanga,Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Richard Ngarava, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia,  Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Brendan Taylor, Dion Myers,  Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba,  Donald Tiripano

Bangladesh – Mominul Haque (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam

Test match schedule for West Indies and South Africa:

Only Test – 07 July, Harare Sports Club, 13:30 (GMT +6)

An alluring cricket battle between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh is awaiting. For further updates on it, stay with Baji!