Bangladesh will begin their all-format tour of Zimbabwe with a one-off Test in Harare on Sunday, aiming to make a strong start in a series that also includes three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals. The Test match will begin at 1:30 PM Bangladesh time at Harare Sports Club, marking Bangladesh's return to Zimbabwe for a full bilateral series after four years.
Background and Context
The series begins at a time when World Cup football fever has hit a fever pitch, with Bangladeshi fans sharply dividing over their loyalty toward Argentina, Brazil, Portugal or other teams. Following the red-ball contest, the teams will remain in Harare for the three-match ODI series, scheduled for July 6, 9 and 11. All three matches will also start at 1:30 PM Bangladesh time.
The tour will conclude with a three-match T20I series in Bulawayo on July 15, 17 and 19, with each match beginning at 4:30 PM Bangladesh time. Bangladesh will be looking to clinch a series victory after sharing honours in the last Test series between the two sides in 2025.
Previous Encounters and Current Form
Zimbabwe stunned the visitors by winning the opening Test by three wickets before Bangladesh bounced back to win the second match. They had beaten the East African nation by an innings and 106-run margin to level the two-match series 1-1. However, the victory remains Zimbabwe’s only win against Bangladesh in last six Tests, dating back to 2018.
Bangladesh, nonetheless, have unfinished business from their previous tour of Zimbabwe in July-August 2022, when they lost both the ODI and T20I series 2-1. Bangladesh's record in Zimbabwe also underlines the challenge ahead. They have won only three of the nine ODI series played on Zimbabwean soil over the past 25 years, while the hosts emerged victorious in the remaining six.
Teams and Expectations
Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh will seek to improve that record and make a positive start to their tour against a Zimbabwe side which are playing its first international series since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The series is expected to provide valuable match practice for both teams across all three formats as they continue preparations for a busy international schedule.
Bangladesh, however, start the one-off Test as absolute favourite after winning five of their last six Tests, including a memorable 2-0 victory over Pakistan. Bangladesh in fact didn’t lose any Test series since their 2-0 defeat to South Africa in 2024.
