Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is determined to kick off a new era in Test cricket with a series victory against their long-time opponents, Zimbabwe.
He arrived early for the trophy unveiling event, even before Zimbabwe’s captain Craig Ervine, who later joined wearing the white jersey. After exchanging greetings and shaking hands with Shanto, the two captains shared several warm handshakes during the unveiling ceremony. This friendly exchange could be seen as a symbol of the strong relationship between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in international cricket.
Although both teams have been regulars on the international stage for a long time, many on social media humorously refer to their matches as battles between two lower-ranked sides. However, for the players, there’s no time for jokes. They remain professional, with a sharp focus on the cricketing field. Both teams are now aiming for different goals in this series, which kicks off with the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, at 10 AM.
The day before the match, during a press conference, Ervine asked a reporter about the conditions at Sylhet. While it wasn’t clear if he was satisfied with the answer, he did mention in the conference that the pitch might favor pace bowlers.
In recent times, Bangladesh has been giving more matches at Sylhet, hoping for better pitch conditions. Head coach Phil Simmons emphasized that they want to improve in Test cricket and are looking to play on ‘proper’ wickets, rather than focusing solely on spin or pace.
Shanto, too, shared his ambitions for the series, stating that this would be an opportunity to bring a fresh approach to building a strong Test culture in Bangladesh.
However, Bangladesh’s recent performance at home has not been very promising. Last year, they struggled against Sri Lanka and South Africa. In fact, Bangladesh has won only 3 of their last 16 home matches, while they managed 3 victories in 2024 outside the country.
Fortunately, they have been handed a relatively easier opponent in Zimbabwe, against whom Bangladesh has won 7 of the last 8 encounters. Zimbabwe hasn’t won a Test match in four years.
Yet, there are some concerns. Zimbabwe’s last win against Bangladesh came at Sylhet in 2018, when they defeated Bangladesh by 151 runs, spoiling the host’s celebratory debut at the venue.
Despite Zimbabwe’s poor recent form, winning against them may not feel like a huge achievement for Bangladesh. However, a loss would certainly invite criticism.
Shanto, however, doesn’t consider this a pressure. He approaches every match with the same mindset, whether it’s against a big team or a smaller one. “We don’t look at it this way,” he explained. “You may sometimes hear these comparisons, but as professional cricketers, we focus on each ball, how we can fight and win that ball, and how to play our best game. Our approach against Zimbabwe will be the same as it would be against a team like South Africa.”
Historically, the overall head-to-head record between the two teams is quite close, with Bangladesh winning 8 out of 18 matches and Zimbabwe winning 7. Although their rivalry has cooled down over time, Zimbabwe still hopes to revive the intensity of those old battles. Ervine mentioned, “We’ve had great preparation. There’s nothing we haven’t worked on. Now, it’s time to go out there and give our best, believing in ourselves to implement all the preparation.”
Playing in Bangladesh is always a tough challenge for Zimbabwe, but they are hopeful of creating opportunities. “There’s always competition between the two teams. Playing in Bangladesh makes it harder for us, but we always feel there’s a chance. With the kind of players we have, we can definitely be a threat to them.”
For Bangladesh, this series offers an opportunity to build confidence after their poor home form last year. With a full-strength squad, they are aiming for a fresh start and a strong performance in front of their home crowd.
Shanto will face the challenge of selecting his playing XI, and changes from the last Test are expected. Captain Shanto and experienced player Mushfiqur Rahim are returning from injury. Opening with Sadman Islam, they might choose between Zakir Hasan or Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Mominul Haque, another veteran, will be part of the middle order. As wicketkeeper-batsman, Bangladesh is likely to opt for Zakir Ali over Mahidul Islam. The team will also rely on Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the lone all-rounder, and Taijul Islam for spin.
In the pace department, Hasan Mahmud and Syed Khaled Ahmed will be joined by the potential ‘X-factor’ fast bowler, Nahid Rana. Zimbabwe’s Shaun Williams, however, mentioned that bowlers like Nahid, who bowl with significant pace, are not uncommon in world cricket, implying that Zimbabwe’s players are prepared to face him.
Shanto didn’t take Williams’ comments lightly, and he fired back, saying, “When Nahid bowls tomorrow, you’ll be able to tell from the body language of the opposition how fast he bowls and how remarkable he is.”
Zimbabwe’s pace attack, led by Blessing Muzarabani and the tall left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava, will test Bangladesh’s inconsistent opening batsmen. Other batters will also have to shoulder significant responsibility, with every department playing its part to achieve a positive outcome.
This series marks a crucial opportunity for Bangladesh to build a Test culture, and a win would be a strong motivator for their cricketing future.
