Bangladesh choose to bat first in Sylhet Test against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Test against Zimbabwe at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The home side fielded a line-up featuring six specialist batters, one all-rounder, and four bowlers. Left out of the playing XI were Zakir Hasan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nayeem Hasan, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Both teams opted for a three-man pace attack, responding to the green-tinged surface expected to assist fast bowlers. Zimbabwe's pace trio comprises Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Victor Nyauchi.

This marks the first Test encounter between the two sides since 2021. In their 18 previous meetings, Bangladesh have won eight times, Zimbabwe have claimed seven victories, and three matches have ended in draws.

Bangladesh are coming off a mixed 2024 Test campaign — their best ever away from home and the worst on home soil. On the road, the Tigers won three out of six Tests, including a historic 2–0 series win over Pakistan and a long-awaited victory against the West Indies in the Caribbean — their first in 15 years. However, they lost all four of their home Tests, suffering back-to-back 2–0 series defeats against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are aiming to turn around their Test fortunes. Notably, their only Test win against Bangladesh in over a decade came at this very venue in Sylhet.

Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali (wicketkeeper), Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana

Zimbabwe XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (captain), Wessly Madhevere, Nyasha Mayavo (wicketkeeper), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi