Chevrons look to the bigger picture

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

AS the Chevrons rekindle their enduring cricket rivalry with Bangladesh tomorrow in a full bilateral series that includes a one-off Test and six limited overs matches, the hosts believe the assignment will pave the road towards the preparations for the ICC World Cup to be played on home soil next year.

A one-off Test which starts tomorrow at Harare Sports Club is expected to set the tone ahead of the subsequent ODI and T20I series in Harare and Bulawayo in the coming weeks.

Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons is excited this tour will mark the beginning of a tight winter schedule that will also see World T20 champions India touring next month.

Global giants Australia will then follow in September.

Sammons said all the engagements they have between now and next year will form building blocks towards the ODI World Cup, which they will co-host with neighbours South Africa and Namibia.

“It’s very important, especially with the build-up towards 2027, our home World Cup,” Sammons told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

“I think that’s a huge goal for us at the moment, but it’s taking those steps one by one as we build towards that World Cup. So, this is certainly the start of that and it’s hugely important in terms of us building towards 2027.”

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will get the ball rolling at Harare Sports Club tomorrow as cricket returns to the local pitches for the first time since November last year when Afghanistan toured.

Sammons, who has always enjoyed the fan environment whenever Zimbabwe play on home soil said the Chevrons are aiming to bring full value for their worth during the upcoming series.

“I think the fans are always great,” he said.

“What I can say is that I know the guys have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes and we really hope to do Zimbabwe Cricket and Zimbabwe’s fans proud in this coming Test,” said Sammons.

Zimbabwe have named a 15-man squad blending experience and youth. Left arm pacer Richard Ngarava will lead the side while senior players Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer and Blessing Muzarabani are expected to provide the required experience.

Sammons expressed confidence in the squad, highlighting the form shown by several players in domestic and representative cricket.

Zimbabwe have been preparing for the tour for the last month.

“We’ve been working hard from a conditioning point of view and getting the guys a lot fitter. We haven’t really had a block of time to do that over the last couple of years. This is our first opportunity to really get stuck in from a conditioning perspective,” he said.

On the basis of form, the likes of Innocent Kaia, Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessly Madhevere are expected to be given a run after strong performances in domestic and representative cricket.

The forthcoming series will mark Zimbabwe’s first home assignment of the year and their first international action since their historic campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

Sammons acknowledged that the lengthy break from international cricket means Zimbabwe will have to dig deep to rediscover the required intensity quickly.

“We haven’t played cricket since the end of February, and we haven’t played a Test match since October. So, the challenge is going to be for us to meet the intensity that international cricket requires from the get-go,” he said.

Summons wants his side to adopt an aggressive approach, particularly with the ball, while remaining smart and calculated with the bat.

“I am certainly hoping that we can come out and play aggressive cricket, especially with the ball. I want us to be really aggressive. With the bat, I want us to be smart but positive — taking positive options in a calculated way, while taking into account the conditions, the situation in the game and the opposition’s skill set.

“For us to be successful, it’s ultimately about winning. Zimbabwe have never won back-to-back Test series or back-to-back Test matches, so we’ve got an opportunity to do that and that’s a massive goal for us,” he said.

Bangladesh arrived in Harare midweek from a white-ball home series against Australia.

Compared to Zimbabwe, the visitors are better positioned in terms of match fitness, as they have engaged in format cricket continuously since March.

Before hosting Australia they also played New Zealand and Pakistan, whom they beat 2-0 in a Test series.

However, Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who was rested for the one-off Test, stressed that Bangladesh’s players are well aware of the challenge posed by Zimbabwe on home soil and warned against underestimating the hosts.

“The players know, and we know, how difficult it is to go to Zimbabwe and beat them in their conditions,” Taskin said.