Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BAN vs ZIM Test Preview Dream11 | BAN vs ZIM Test Dream11 Prediction Today | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Test Preview Dream11 | BAN vs ZIM Test Key Players | Mirpur Pitch Report | BAN vs ZIM Dream11 Prediction Today

Just like India and Sri Lanka play each other so often, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe do so, too.

In another episode in one of international cricket’s lower profile rivalries, both teams, who are starved of Test victories, have the chance to add one to their tally at the Shere-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh have been very poor in Test cricket in recent times. They have lost their last six Tests – five by an innings – to take significant backward steps after the positive signs from 2011-2017.

Zimbabwe pushed Sri Lanka in their recent two-match series at home, but the subcontinent is always a different test. However, they can take some heart in the fact that just over a year ago, they did beat Bangladesh in away territory, so they will be hoping to do so again.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Mushfiqur Rahim is back for Bangladesh after missing the Pakistan tour. He has 643 runs vs Zimbabwe at 45.92.
• Brendan Taylor is arguably Zimbabwe’s most important player: He is the top run-scorer in Bangladesh-Zimbabwe Tests (1,039 runs, avg. 64.93). In Bangladesh, he averages a solid 45.33 in seven Tests.
• Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque enjoys playing Zimbabwe: 555 runs, avg. 50.45. His opposite number, Craig Ervine, has struggled: 153 runs in four Tests, avg. 21.85.
• Regis Chakabva showed some good fight vs Sri Lanka recently. Also, his record vs Bangladesh is handy: 411 runs, avg. 37.36.
• With Shakib still missing, Bangladesh also need the experience of Tamim Iqbal, who has 422 runs vs Zimbabwe at 42.20, with two centuries.
• Sikandar Raza was Player of the Match in Zimbabwe’s last Test, where he took 7/113. Also, Raza scored 164 runs in the two Tests at 41.00.
• Taijul Islam has the most wickets in Bangladesh-Zimbabwe Tests (35, avg. 21.11). This includes 8/39 on this ground in 2014.
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz returns to the Bangladesh squad for this Test. He loves playing at home, where he averages 21.44 in 11 Tests, compared to 57.68 in 11 away Tests.

Stats and Facts

• Bangladesh have lost five of their past six Tests by an innings. The only one where they avoided an innings loss was a 224-run defeat to Afghanistan in a rain-affected Test.
• Bangladesh won three Tests in a row at home in 2018 (one vs ZIM, two vs WI). However, the key was Bangladesh batted first in each of the Tests. When bowling first, they have lost their last three Tests at home.
• One of those was against Zimbabwe at Sylhet.
• Bangladesh have won five of the past six Tests vs Zimbabwe.

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh’s lack of fight with the bat has been the key reason for their awful run of form. They are often unable to string partnerships together, and when they do, they then lose wickets in clumps. Here, Tamim, Mominul and Mushfiqur will be key, but who else will step up?

Also, could this be the re-emergence of Taskin Ahmed or Mustafizur Rahman? When they burst onto the scene in 2014/15, these two seamers were touted as Bangladesh’s long-term partnership. It hasn’t materialized, but at least one may have the chance to partner well with the promising Abu Jayed, as well as spinners Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Key to a Zimbabwe win

Opening batsmen Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza didn’t score big runs vs Sri Lanka recently. However, they batted for significant amount of time, facing 667 balls between them in two Tests (and did well in the tour game). Bangladesh often display less patience than other teams, so if the openers can grind things out, they can set the perfect platform for the likes of Taylor, Ervine and Raza.

But, perhaps the bigger test for Zimbabwe is getting the most out of their bowlers. They are missing plenty of experience for this Test, including Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara, so bowling as a unit will be crucial against a Bangladesh side prone to collapses. The likes of Donald Tiripano and Chris Mpofu need to lead the way so the spinners have a platform.

Possible Playing 11

Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar and Rubel Hossain were dropped from the Bangladesh squad.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Saif Hassan, 3. Mominul Haque (c), 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 6. Mohammad Mithun, 7. Liton Das (wk), 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Abu Jayed, 11. Ebadot Hossain/Mustafizur Rahman

Craig Ervine will lead Zimbabwe in the absence of Sean Williams.

Zimbabwe: 1. Prince Masvaure 2. Kevin Kasuza, 3. Craig Ervine (c), 4. Brendan Taylor, 5. Timycen Maruma, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Regis Chakabva (wk), 8. Tinotenda Mutombodzi, 9. Donald Tiripano, 10. Carl Mumba, 11. Victor Nyauchi

Mirpur Pitch Report and Conditions

The Mirpur track has been very different in Test cricket over the past 2-3 years. Since 2017, the track has spun big early, which has made batting difficult.

Bangladesh might look to target Zimbabwe with this approach, but risk batting fourth if they lose the toss.

The forecast is for warm days right throughout the Test, with the only chance of rain being on day five.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Neither side has shown consistent ability to compete after having to bowl first. So, the team who bats first will likely go on to win the Test.

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