Sundaymail Editor
HOW times have changed!
There was once a time when Zimbabwe would call on a then-emerging Bangladeshi side whenever the Chevrons found themselves struggling for form and positive results.
A “tune-up game”, or in this case a series, should be the appropriate sporting term.
Granted, during those days, the golden era of Zimbabwe cricket, the Chevrons had reliable stalwarts on beck and call.
Among those players were the likes of Andy and Grant Flower, the late Heath Streak and later Brandon Taylor, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya and Elton Chigumbura.
But that was then.
Now, there is a popular theory among Bangladesh’s fans that whenever their national men’s team is struggling, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) turns to Zimbabwe for a few games.
That, of course, disregards the fact that Zimbabwe’s schedule is not dependent on the BCB; their board decides these based on the ICC’s future tours programme.
Also, Zimbabwe are no longer the pushovers that Bangladesh fans thought they were between 2005 and 2012.
But the records between the two nations tell a compelling story, one that is most likely to leave the home fans optimistic and Zimbabwe supporters a bit worried.
The two nations have met a total of 18 times in the Test arena, with the hosts enjoying eight wins as compared to Zimbabwe’s seven.
Three matches have ended in a draw.
Now, Zimbabwe might be touring Bangladesh for the first time in five years, but there is every reason to believe they can come out on top.
Bangladesh, after all, are no longer the boogey side they once were and the Asian nation is very much in the middle of a period of transition of their own.
They only have Mushfiqur Rahim from the famous five playing Test cricket, and even his place in the team is a matter of debate.
They have to balance the playing XI with enough bowlers, and will have to decide whether Mushfiqur should be the primary wicketkeeper or Mahidul Islam, who is also in the side, should do the job.
That said, Mushfiqur’s form against Zimbabwe — two double-hundreds in the last three Tests — is key for Bangladesh considering their iffy batting line-up.
Much like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh have also had some top-order struggles of their own.
Their last Test series against West Indies, back in November, only had Jaker Ali make impressive contributions to keep them alive.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has to find form, too. However, he can find solace in the fact that he has a strong bowling line-up, particularly the pace unit, which can put Zimbabwe under pressure.
Zimbabwe will be expected to punch back with their own pace attack, which includes Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Victor Nyauchi.
The Chevrons are set to welcome back regular captain Craig Ervine and senior statesman Sean Williams in their line-up after they missed the one-off Test against Ireland in Bulawayo in February this
year.
Williams is a master of playing spin, which will be crucial in Bangladesh conditions.
Zimbabwe will also bank on the likes of Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell and Ben Curran to quell their top-order batting challenges.
Going into the first Test, Bangladesh will be without three key players, as Shahadat Hossain has been dropped, while Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed have been rested.
Zimbabwe have dropped both opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano and young pace bowler Newman Nyamhuri, with Ervine and Williams likely to take back their middle-order spots. Nyasha Mayavo kept wicket in their previous Test, but he is likely to be replaced by Tafadzwa
Tsiga.
Rain has been forecast for all the five days, which will test the ground’s drainage facilities.
The Sylhet pitch has even bounce and a bit of pace, which should make the strong pace attacks happy.
Ironically, Zimbabwe’s last Test win in Bangladesh was also in Sylhet.
They have won two of 10 Tests in Bangladesh since 2001. — Cricinfo/Zimpapers Sports Hub
Online Reporter