Ngarava takes charge as Zimbabwe name squad for Bangladesh Test

HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket has named a 15-man squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh, with left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava set to captain the national side for the first time in the longest format.

The match is scheduled to start on Sunday at Harare Sports Club, marking Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket following their emphatic innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at the same venue in October last year.

 Ngarava was one of the standout performers in that match, claiming a five-wicket haul as Zimbabwe recorded one of their most convincing Test victories in recent years.

 Ben Curran also starred with a century, while Brad Evans produced a five-wicket haul of his own to help seal the win.

 The squad selected to face Bangladesh includes five players who were not part of the Afghanistan Test.

Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri have all earned recalls after strong performances in domestic and representative cricket.

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 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.

With a blend of experience and emerging talent, Zimbabwe will be aiming to build on that success and make a strong start to a busy home international season.

                              ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR TEST AGAINST BANGLADESH

 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 – ZimCricket Media