Zimbabwe arrive in Dhaka for Test series

Dhaka, 15 April —Zimbabwe national cricket team arrived in Dhaka today for two-match Test series against Bangladesh. 

The visitors will stay overnight in Dhaka before flying to Sylhet on the morning of April 16.

Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the first Test, starting from April 20. Chattogram will host the second and final Test, beginning on April 28.

Zimbabwe named an experienced Test team with Sean Williams and Craig Ervine returning to the fold. Wellington Masakadza also made room in the Zimbabwe Test squad, which will play a Test series in Bangladesh after four-year gap.

Apart from the return of the big names, the squad also sees a few notable changes, with wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga being recalled two years after making his Test debut against West Indies.

Head Coach Justin Sammons was confident about their chance. “We are very excited to be heading into a period where Test cricket will be our sole focus,” he said.

“I am certain this group of players will continue to grow as individuals and as a team as they face new challenges in different conditions.

“The squad has been set up to give us the best balance to deal with whatever may be thrown our way."
 
The last time the two nations squared off in Bangladesh, in February 2020, the hosts emerged victorious with an innings and 106-run win in Mirpur, with Mushfiqur Rahim smashing an unbeaten double hundred.

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe so far have met 18 times in Test format with Bangladesh winning eight and losing seven. The rest of the three Tests ended in a draw.

This marked Zimbabwe’s sixth visit in Bangladesh following 2001, 2005, 2014, 2018 and 2020. Overall they had played 10 Tests on Bangladesh’s backyard, winning just two. 

Zimbabwe Test Squad: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.BSS