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AT last, after 13 years Zimbabwe is able to play a three-match Test series again! They face Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka tomorrow, in the first of three Test matches of a crucial series for both sides.
A three-match series is rare territory for both teams. Zimbabwe’s last three-Test series was against Sri Lanka 13 years ago, while Bangladesh’s was against the same opponents in 2007.

And so the tour of Bangladesh is Zimbabwe’s longest in more than a decade, as it has the three Test matches and five One-Day International (ODI) matches. Since the country’s phased return to Test cricket after deliberately suspending fulfilling those commitments to give their side enough experience in the longest version of the game, Zimbabwe has been playing one-off Test matches. Their away tours have also had a maximum of three ODIs.

It is probable that the Bangladesh-Zimbabwe series will have an outright result. Since their return to Test cricket three years ago Zimbabwe have played 11 Test matches, winning three – all at home – and losing eight, without a single draw among them.

Bangladesh pitches almost invariably favour the bowlers. A total of 300 in Bangladesh is probably worth over 400 in Zimbabwe and most other countries.

Unless rain intervenes, each Test match is likely to produce a result.

This is a worry for Zimbabwe. When Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe a year ago they managed to draw both the Test and the ODI series when Zimbabwe had home advantage. Now it is Bangladesh’s turn to enjoy their own home conditions on their infamous spinning pitches where the ball skids through, and against their remarkable array of left-arm spinners.

The Zimbabwe Test captain Brendan Taylor together with Hamilton Masakadza, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Elton Chigumbura and Tinashe Panyangara have all played Test cricket in Bangladesh before, but none more than two Tests. Those came back in 2004/05, 10 years ago when they were all very young and inexperienced. That series gave Bangladesh their first-ever Test match victory.

They and others in the side have played one-day cricket in Bangladesh, but that is a different ball game.

In the absence of the experienced off-spinner Prosper Utseya who has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over his bowling action, the Zimbabwe spin bowling attack is led by John Nyumbu backed by Tafadzwa Kamungozi and Wellington Masakadza – all inexperienced at international level.

The Tigers will be licking their lips in the belief that they can prepare their pitches to suit their own spin bowlers with impunity.

Reporter Mohammad Isam states that the home side will be going into the series lacking in confidence despite all their advantages after a disastrous year when they have won only two of their 25 international matches, and those two were Twenty20 International matches against Afghanistan and Nepal. Their defeats actually included a defeat at home in a T20 match to Hong Kong. Their last Test series in September resulted in two heavy defeats in the West Indies.

The wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim is again captain of Bangladesh and he has some experienced players in his side.

The opening batsman Tamim Iqbal is well known to the Zimbabweans at the top of the order, while Shakib Al Hasan has returned after his disagreements with the board and is a classy all-rounder. One young player to watch is Mominul Haque, who is regarded as a fine batting prospect in the middle order.

The Bangladeshi seam attack is weak, and there the Zimbabweans should have the edge. The problem is that the seamers on both sides are scarcely likely to play a major role in the game, if the pitch is anything like the spinning paradise that is likely in Dhaka.

Nyumbu carries a heavy responsibility as Zimbabwe’s leading spinner. The leg-spinner Kamungozi is considered likely to make his debut as his main spinning partner, as coach Stephen Mangongo hinted that he considers Wellington Masakadza too young and inexperienced as of now.

Having said that, Bangladesh’s spin bowling attack is at present none too experienced either. Shakib Al Hasan will be leading the attack, and his chief helper is likely to be another left-arm spinner in Taijul Islam, who was quite impressive in the West Indies but has only played those two Tests.

Mahmadullah can supply off-breaks, but he does not have a great record of success in Test cricket.

The winner of this series will win ninth place in the ICC rankings. If it is Bangladesh, it will be the first time Zimbabwe is reduced to the 10th and last place in the rankings, as they have always kept ahead of Bangladesh before.

Bangladesh is aiming to reduce a 20-point deficit on Zimbabwe and know that a series victory can boost its standing. A 3-0 series win will see Bangladesh leapfrog its rivals and claim a 14-point advantage, while a 2-0 series win will result in a nine-point lead for the hosts. A 2-1 victory will give Mushfiqur Rahim’s side a two-point advantage.

In the Asian conditions, Zimbabwe face a heavy challenge. But whatever happens, their players will gain valuable experience in testing conditions, and this at least can only be good for the future of local cricket.

ICC Test Rankings

Rank Team Matches Points Rating
1 South Africa 27 3353 124
2 Australia 32 3950 123
3 England 39 4063 104
4 Sri Lanka 31 3126 101
5 India 29 2793 96
6 Pakistan 23 2199 96
7 New Zealand 30 2787 93
8 West Indies 26 1962 75
9 Zimbabwe 9 352 39
10 Bangladesh 17 320 19