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Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced a 15-member squad on Tuesday (June 23) for their upcoming one-off Test against Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club. Pace bowler Richard Ngarava will be in charge of leading the team in the Test.
It will be his first-ever match as the captain of the national team in this format. The host nation has made multiple changes in comparison to their previous squad, which earned a massive victory against Afghanistan.
Sikanadar Raza will miss the Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh
Experienced batting all-rounder Sikandar Raza is among the notable absentees in the latest squad. Raza has provided the green signal to fulfill his commitments with Worcestershire in England's T20 Blast.
“Zimbabwe will, however, be without Sikandar Raza, who has been granted permission to fulfil his commitment with Worcestershire County Cricket Club for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast campaign in England,” the cricket board mentioned on their official website.
Richard Ngarava took 5 scalps against Afghanistan
The last time the Chevrons played a Test match was in the previous year in October, against Afghanistan. Against the Afghans, the Chevrons claimed a thumping win as they claimed the match by an innings and 73 runs.
Richard Ngarava was impressive with his bowling, claiming 5 scalps in the match. Brad Evans was another bowler who took 5 wickets for the team in the match, and with the bat, Ben Curran scored a century at the same venue where they will face Bangladesh. The one-off Test against Bangladesh will start on June 28.
For the upcoming test, the home team has made some interesting choices in their squad selection. There are five player, who missed the Test against Afghanistan, retained their spots to take on the Tiger Brigade.
Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere, and Newman Nyamhuri have all earned recalls after strong performances in domestic and representative cricket, the cricket governing board informed during the squad announcement.
Bangladesh had to share pride last year
While announcing the team, the hosts mentioned that last year, when they faced Bangladesh in Bangladesh for a 2-match Test series in Bangladesh, they shared the pride as Zimbabwe won the opening match, and Bangladesh captured the second on their home soil. The upcoming encounter is expected to be another thriller between the two nations.
“The forthcoming encounter renews a growing Test rivalry between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. The two sides last met in a two-match series in Bangladesh in April and May last year, with the contest ending one-all."
"Zimbabwe produced a memorable three-wicket victory in the opening Test of that series to register their first win in the format in four years before Bangladesh levelled the series in the second match,” the official press release reads further.
ZC is hopeful to fetch a good result as they have tried to produce a well-balanced team with a blend of experience and emerging talents.
Zimbabwe squad: Richard Ngarava (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Roy Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor, Tafadzwa Tsiga.
