Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
WITH Zimbabwe’s tour of Bangladesh drawing ever nearer, the Chevrons face a potentially arduous Test series, their sights set on reclaiming the ascendancy they once held over the Tigers in red-ball cricket.
The two nations have a history of 18 Test encounters, their inaugural clash dating back to 2001 when Zimbabwe secured a comprehensive 2-0 series victory on home soil. This triumph marked the beginning of a period of early ascendancy for the Chevrons against their South Asian counterparts.
Following those initial two matches held in Bulawayo and Harare, Zimbabwe continued their strong start, winning two of the subsequent four fixtures. This resulted in an impressive record of four wins from their first six meetings with Bangladesh, with the remaining two games ending in stalemate.
Bangladesh’s maiden Test victory against Zimbabwe arrived in 2005 in Chattogram. Since that breakthrough, the Tigers have demonstrated significant improvement, losing only three matches against the Chevrons while triumphing in seven of the subsequent ten encounters.
Zimbabwe’s most recent Test win against Bangladesh was recorded in November 2018 in Sylhet, where they clinched a 151-run victory in the opening match of a two-Test series that ultimately concluded as a draw.
Across their 18 Test meetings, Zimbabwe have emerged victorious on seven occasions, while Bangladesh hold a slight edge with eight wins, and three matches have ended without a decisive result.
The upcoming series marks Zimbabwe’s first foray into Test cricket in Bangladesh since February 2020, a contest which saw the hosts secure a commanding innings and 106-run victory in a one-off match in Dhaka. The last time the two sides met was in 2021 in Harare.
These two forthcoming Tests will present a formidable challenge for Zimbabwe, who have only managed two victories in their ten previous Test matches played on Bangladeshi soil.
Earlier in the week, the Chevrons’ head coach, Justin Sammons, unveiled a 15-member squad, expressing his confidence that it offers the necessary balance to effectively counter any challenges the Bangladesh team may present.
“We are very excited to be heading into a period where Test cricket will be our sole focus. 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. I know everyone in the squad is very determined to give their all for Zimbabwe,” said Sammons.
Zimbabwe’s squad has received a significant boost with the return of their captain, Craig Ervine, and seasoned all-rounder, Sean Williams. Both key players were notably absent from the team’s previous Test encounter against Ireland at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo due to varying reasons.
However, the selection for the Bangladesh tour has presented some intriguing questions, particularly regarding the opening batting partnership. Takudzwanashe Kaitano, who partnered Ben Curran at the top of the order against Ireland in February, has missed out on selection. Similarly, wicket-keeper batsman Joylord Gumbie, who opened during the historic two-Test series against Afghanistan, is also absent from the squad, leaving the crucial opening slots in Bangladesh uncertain.
As anticipation for the series builds, Saturday Chronicle offers its perspective on the preferred starting eleven for the first Test match — a selection that will likely shape the team’s approach for the remainder of the series, depending on the outcome of the opening encounter.
The most pressing selection dilemma lies in identifying the ideal partner for the in-form Ben Curran. Curran showcased exceptional form in the recent four-day regional match in Harare, scoring twin centuries, a feat last achieved by a Zimbabwean batter when Brendan Taylor achieved it against Bangladesh in 2018.
With the players who opened in the previous Test matches unavailable for this series, our preferred choice to partner Curran at the top of the order would be Nicholas Welch. Welch was the leading run-scorer in the 2024/25 Logan Cup, amassing an impressive 823 runs at a commendable average of 58.78.
The experienced skipper, Ervine, will undoubtedly bring his wealth of knowledge and stability to the number three position. Following him at number four will be Williams, a player who boasts the joint third-most Test centuries for Zimbabwe, adding significant firepower to the middle order. The promising Brian Bennett is slated to come in at number five.
Johnathan Campbell is our selection for the number six slot, providing further solidity to the middle order. Wessly Madhevere, who displayed commendable resilience and played gallant innings in Zimbabwe’s previous Test match against Ireland, will occupy the number seven position.
The often-debated wicket-keeper batsman role will, in our view, be filled by Nyasha Mayavo, getting the nod ahead of the returning Tafadzwa Tsiga. The tail end of the batting line-up will consist of the pace trio of Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, and the uncapped Vincent Masekesa.
Considering the conditions typically encountered in Bangladesh, we have opted against selecting a third frontline seam bowler, resulting in no place in our preferred eleven for Victor Nyauchi or Trevor Gwandu.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the first Test match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet from 20 to 24 April. The second and final Test of the series will then be held at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram from 28 April to 2 May.
Saturday Chronicle’s Preferred Chevrons Starting XI against Bangladesh:
Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Craig Ervine (captain), Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Wessly Madhevere, Nyasha Mayavo (wk), Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Vincent Masekesa.
-@brandon_malvin
