2005 was the last time Zimbabwe played a full series on Bangladesh soil and after nine years and a lot of ups and downs here they are again to play three Tests and five ODIs. The visitors will play a three-day warm-up against the BCB XI at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOS) in Fatullah starting today and trained at the ground yesterday.
Their sole aim is to clinch an away win and skipper Brendan Taylor is well aware of the challenge they have to face from the hosts at their own backyard.
“Our team target is to win away from home. We have failed to do that in the past. It is nice to finally play out of Zimbabwe where we feel a lot comfortable. It is a big challenge what lies ahead of us. We know how threatening Bangladesh can be at home. They have some wonderful players. We are looking forward to that challenge. It is going to be tough but we have prepared really well. We are looking forward to what lies ahead,” said Taylor.
The last time Zimbabwe toured in 2005, Taylor was only 19 and in his second Test series for Zimbabwe, they had to leave with a bitter result having lost the two-match series 1-0. But Taylor, now the captain of the side at the age of 28, believes a lot has changed since then and they are also well prepared for the challenge.
“It is a tough one. I remember losing the first Test in Chittagong. I think Enamul [Haque Jr] bowled really well to take ten wickets. He made it very difficult for us. We came back stronger in the Dhaka Test where we drew the game. I think they have lost a lot of their players but they have produced some fantastic younger players coming through the ranks,” he said.
That year also ended Zimbabwe’s participation in the longer version as they imposed self exile from the format. They returned to Test cricket in 2011 with a 1-0 home win over the Tigers. Meanwhile, many Zimbabwean cricketers have featured in the domestic leagues in Bangladesh over the past couple of years including the wicketkeeper-batsman himself, which makes Taylor more confident in facing the fire from the hosts.
“I don’t think we are worrying too much about their past form. We know how powerful they can be in Bangladesh especially in one-day cricket. So hopefully in the Test matches we can put some pressure and it will be entertaining for everyone,” he added.
Bangladesh will do anything to secure the home series against Zimbabwe – an opponent compared with equal strength if not more. Therefore as a strategy the Bangladesh selectors did not name any spinner in the BCB XI line-up and though there was no official comment on the issue, it could easily be guessed that the selection panel don’t want the Zimbabweans to settle in playing spin.