Despite losing the most recent home series against Sri Lanka in May, Bangladesh will be a tough opponent for the host Zimbabwe in the one-off Test series, which begins on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club Arena. Zimbabwe also lost their most recent Test series against Pakistan at home. So, both sides will be looking to return in winning momentum in this series. Zimbabwe have been struggling on the international stage lately, therefore Bangladesh are the overwhelming favorite to win this Test series. Here we present a preview of Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2021 Test Series. It will give you an insight into the two teams’ strengths.
Notable Test record between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe will kick off with the one-off Test series. Bangladesh will then play three ODIs and three T20Is during the tour. Here are some head-to-head notable Test records between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
# Three of the nine bilateral Test series between the two sides have been won by Bangladesh. Zimbabwe have won four series and two have ended in a draw.
# Mushfiqur Rahim has scored the most (846) runs for Bangladesh, while Brendon Taylor (1,066) is topping the list of most runs.
Read BAN vs ZIM: Five Most Memorable Matches Between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
# Taijul Islam has taken the most (41) wickets for Bangladesh, while Kyle Jarvis (24) has taken the most wickets for Zimbabwe.
# Mushfiqur Rahim made the highest individual score (219*) for Bangladesh, while Brendon Taylor played the highest individual innings (171) for Zimbabwe.
# Taijul Islam has the best bowling figures for Bangladesh (8/39), while Douglas Hondo has the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe (6/59).
Probable Bangladesh Playing XI
BCB announced an 18-man squad for the one-off Test series against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh’s pacers have done well in the recent international series, that’s why the selectors have picked four pacers in Bangladesh’s longer version squad.
The selectors have included three genuine spinners apart from all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Experienced wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan has been recalled to the Bangladesh team after a two-year absence along with veteran Mahmudullah Riyad. Apart from that, most of the predicted names have been included in this squad.
Captain Mominul Haque and four other senior members of the squad, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Shakib Al Hasan, are all available for the series and will be in charge of marshalling the troops against an inexperienced Zimbabwean side.
The players who can make a difference
Tamim Iqbal: Test: 64 | Runs: 4,788 | HS: 206 | AVE: 39.57
Shakib Al Hasan: Test: 57 | Runs: 3,930 | HS: 217 | Wkts: 210 | BBI: 7/36
Mushfiqur Rahim: Test: 74 | Runs: 4,685 | HS:219* | AVE: 37.18
Predicted Bangladesh Playing XI:
Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, NurulHasan (wk), MehediHasanMiraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Shoriful Islam
Probable Zimbabwe Playing XI
On Thursday (July 1), Zimbabwe C named a 20-man squad for the one-off Test match against Bangladesh. The Zimbabwe Cricket Board confirmed that Sean Williams will act as captain for the series.
Zimbabwe’s selectors have picked four uncapped players in their squad for this lone Test match. They’ve all amassed enough first-class experience to be called up to the national side.
The selectors have picked veteran players such as Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Regis Chakabva, and Craig Ervine in addition to the newcomers for the longer version match against Bangladesh.
The players who can make a difference
Regis Chakabva: Test:11 | Runs: 1,029 | HS: 101 | AVE: 27.07
Brendan Taylor: Test: 33 | Runs: 2,147 | HS: 171 | AVE: 34.62
Donald Tiripano: Test: 14 | Wkts: 24 | BBI: 3/23 | Runs: 454 | HS: 95
Predicted Zimbabwe Playing XI:
Kevin Kasuza, TarisaiMusakanda, Regis Chakabva (wk), Brendan Taylor (Captain), Milton Shumba, TendaiChisoro, Luke Jongwe, Donald Tiripano, Roy Kaia, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Verdict
Both teams will bid to secure this series after losing their last one at home. The one-off Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2021 Test Series Preview shows that Bangladesh are considerably ahead of Zimbabwe in terms of the overall Test record between these two teams. Moreover, the current Bangladesh squad is stronger than Zimbabwe and they will start as the favorite in the series. So, we can expect a good contest between the two low-ranked Test teams.
Source: United News of Bangladesh