Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 1st Test Preview & Tips - Draw backed in Harare

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh predictions for the 1st Test match on Wednesday
The match will be played in Harare at 08:30 BST
Zimbabwe have lost 6 of their last 9 Test matches
I am backing the consistent Mushfiqur Rahim to score over 23.5 runs in the 1st innings
Predictions, team news, stats & preview

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh backed to draw (Getty Images)

Ralph Staniforth

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Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Preview & Tips

We are backing a draw in this match with both sides in terrible Test form. In the best batsman market there could be value in the form of Mushfiqur Rahim.

Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has been the best team bowler in his last 2 Test matches.
Zimbabwe’s Regis Chakabva has been the top run scorer in his last 2 Test matches.
Zimbabwe’s Regis Chakabva scored 80 runs in his last Test innings.
Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 40+ runs in his last 2 Test innings.
Bangladesh have won 4 of their last 5 Test matches against Zimbabwe.

Head to Head

Bangladesh have won four of their last five Test matches against Zimbabwe. They last met in February 2020 where Bangladesh won comfortably by an innings and 106 runs.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe have lost six of their last nine Test matches along with two wins and a draw. Over the last two decades Zimbabwe cricket has been in a severe decline but there have been recent signs of a slight upturn.

That upturn was not shown in their most recent series against Pakistan though. Zimbabwe were well beaten in both matches.

In the 2nd Test against Pakistan in Harare, the visitors posted a huge 510-8 declared. Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-82.

Regist Chakabva scored 33 runs in Zimbabwe’s first innings of 132 runs. The follow-on was enforced and it was again Chakabva who top scored with 80 runs. The experienced Brendan Taylor scored 49 runs with Zimbabwe scoring 231 to lose by an innings and 147 runs.

Zimbabwe Team News

Tendai Chatara is set to make his return to the Zimbabwe starting lineup for the first time in three years. There will be pressure on captain Sean Williams and star batsman, Brendan Taylor to score big runs.

Bangladesh Form

Bangladesh’s form has not been good in the longest format. They have lost 9 of their last 11 matches with a win and a draw. During this run of matches the only victory came against Zimbabwe.

The Tigers toured Sri Lanka for their most recent tour. In the 2nd Test Sri Lanka batted first in Pallekele and scored 493 runs. Tamim Iqbal top scored in response with 92 runs while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque contributed 40 and 49 runs respectively.

Sri Lanka then declared their second innings on 194 runs, leaving Bangladesh a target of 436 runs to win. Many batsmen got starts but Rahim’s 40 runs was the top score as Bangladesh fell for 227 runs.