Bangladesh will return to Zimbabwe this northern summer, the boards have announced, with a one-off Test in Harare on 28 June launching a tour that also contains three ODIs and three T20Is.
It is Zimbabwe’s first home cricket since their impressive run to the Super Eights of February’s T20 World Cup. The hosts have not played an international since that tournament; Bangladesh last travelled to Zimbabwe in 2022, when the home side pinched both the white-ball series 2-1.
Key dates
• Only Test: 28 Jun-2 Jul, Harare
• ODIs: 6, 9, 11 Jul, all Harare
• T20Is: 15, 17, 19 Jul, all Bulawayo
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni welcomed the news. “We are delighted to confirm Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a highly competitive and exciting series across all formats,” he said. “This tour is hugely significant for us as it marks the return of top-level international cricket to our home venues following the team’s outstanding performances at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. Our supporters have every reason to be proud of what we have achieved in recent months and we are looking forward to seeing fans once again rally behind the team in Harare and Bulawayo.”
The Test rivalry remains tight. Twenty meetings so far, Bangladesh shading it 9-8, with three draws. Last year’s series in Dhaka finished 1-1, Zimbabwe claiming their first Test win since 2021. They have since added a home victory over Afghanistan.
Bangladesh’s white-ball record in Zimbabwe is mixed. The Tigers won an ODI clean sweep in 2021 but slipped up a year later when Regis Chakabva’s side grabbed both ODI and T20I contests. Senior batter Litton Das noted after that defeat that “consistency away from home is still our biggest challenge”; the forthcoming trip offers a fresh gauge.
Conditions should favour fast bowlers early in winter, then turn slower as the limited-overs legs progress south to Bulawayo. Analyst Darlington Matambanadzo pointed out on local radio that “Queens Sports Club can grip even in July, so expect spin to matter in those T20s”.
Both sides will announce squads closer to departure. Zimbabwe must decide whether to recall seamer Blessing Muzarabani, fit again after a hamstring problem, while Bangladesh have monitored Shoriful Islam’s shoulder but expect him to tour.
With World Test Championship points scarce for the two teams, the single Test carries extra weight. The ODIs slot into the new ICC Super League cycle, while the T20Is act as early tuning for next year’s Champions Trophy qualifiers.
Nothing flashy, but plenty at stake.
