ZIMBABWE Cricket has named a 15-man squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh, with left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava cleared to captain the national side for the first time in the longest format after recovering from injury.
The Test starts on Sunday at Harare Sports Club, marking Zimbabwe’s return to the five-day game following their emphatic innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at the same venue in October last year.
Ngarava was a standout in that match, claiming a five-wicket haul as the Chevrons recorded one of their most convincing Test wins in recent years. Ben Curran and Brad Evans also starred in the Afghanistan win with a century and five-wicket haul respectively, and both retain their places.
Head coach Justin Sammons was hopeful Ngarava would be cleared after showing positive fitness signs in training after the pacer took part in Zimbabwe’s practice session in Harare.
“In terms of BT [Brendan Taylor] and Richard, Richard is obviously coming back from a serious injury. We’ll see in terms of how he progresses day by day," Sammons said.
Ngarava’s deputy in both Test and ODI formats will be Brian Bennett. The squad also marks the return of veteran Brendan Taylor, who Sammons said “is absolutely fine."
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"He’s recovered perfectly and is training really well” after the wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka with injury.
Five players have earned recalls after strong domestic form. These are Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri. They replace several players from the Afghanistan Test as selectors blend experience with emerging talent.
Zimbabwe will be without all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has been granted permission to complete his commitment with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in England’s Vitality Blast.
Sammons said the expanded A-side camp gave him a clear picture ahead of the series.
“It was a nice big group. No real surprises really in terms of who’s there. The guys have all worked really hard and we’ll see how they go,” he said.
The coach also warned of Bangladesh’s firepower.
“They’ve got a really good seam attack... They’re definitely one of the better attacks at the moment. So it’s going to be a good challenge for our batters, but certainly we’re going to front up there," he added.
"Obviously, when you’re playing at home against Bangladesh, we want to try and utilise as much pace and balance as we can.”
The Test renews a growing rivalry. The teams last met in a two-match series in Bangladesh in April-May 2025, with Zimbabwe snatching a memorable three-wicket win in the opener for their first Test victory in four years before Bangladesh levelled.
The Bangladesh tour comprises one Test, three ODIs in Harare from July 6 to 11, and three T20Is in Bulawayo from July 15-19.
Zimbabwe squad for Bangladesh test
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