Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 1st Test Predictions - Bangladesh to hit fifth Test win on the trot as Zimbabwe wilt

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Simon Lewis 1 hour ago

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Zimbabwe have struggled in Test matches against the higher-ranked sides.
Bangladesh are on a great winning streak in Tests.
The weather will be hot and with the team batting first winning 18 of the 40 Tests played at the Harare Sports Club (nine draws) the toss could be a big factor.

Blessing Muzarabani is Zimbabwe's star bowler (Getty Images.

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Predictions

Zimbabwe ended a four-match losing streak by beating Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs in their last Test, which was back in October. Bangladesh have won their last four Tests on the bounce, beating Pakistan 2-0 in their last Test series back in May.

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Predictions
Head-to-Head
Zimbabwe Form
Bangladesh Form
Team news

Zimbabwe’s Innocent Kaia has scored 100, 29, 112*, 26 & 103 in his last 5 knocks.
Zimbabwe’s Ben Curran has scored 50, 23, 40, 39 & 57 in his last 5 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has taken 42 wickets in his last 10 matches.
Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto has scored 764 runs in 8 knocks (ave 58.77).
Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy has scored 40*, 83, 35 & 61* in his last 5 matches.
Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud has taken 3/32, 6/69 & 2/77 in his last 4 innings.
Bangladesh have won 4 of their last 5 Tests against Zimbabwe.

Head-to-Head

Bangladesh have won four and lost one of their last five Tests against Zimbabwe. Their last meeting ended in an innings and 106 runs win for Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe’s batting will lean heavily on the experienced pair of Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor. Ervine has scored 461 runs in his last nine matches, while Ben Curran offers support after averaging close to 30 in recent red-ball cricket. The returns of Innocent Kaia and Wessly Madhevere give the hosts a useful blend of youth and experience against Bangladesh’s spin threat.

They will, however, be without key all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who is unavailable due to county commitments with Worcestershire.

With the ball, Blessing Muzarabani remains Zimbabwe’s main weapon. The tall fast bowler has taken 42 wickets in his last 10 matches, while captain Richard Ngarava has claimed 16 in his last six and should share the new ball. Graeme Cremer adds experience as the leg-spin option.

Bangladesh Form

Bangladesh arrive with confidence after a 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan in May 2026, including a 78-run victory in their most recent match. They have been hit by the loss of Litton Das, who is out with a left calf strain, with Mahidul Islam named as replacement wicketkeeper.

Their batting looks strong. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has made 764 runs in his last eight games at 58.77, while Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 756 at 58.15 over the same period. Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque add stability at the top.

Bangladesh’s main threat is spin, led by Taijul Islam, who has 54 wickets in his last 10 Tests. Hasan Mahmud and returning seamer Ebadot Hossain provide the pace support.

Team news

Star batter and keeper Litton Das isn’t available for Bangladesh because of a left calf strain. Zimbabwe’s star all-rounder Sikandar Raza won’t be playing as he has a county cricket contract in England to fulfill.

Zimbabwe (possible XI): Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Wessly Madhevere, Roy Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Richard Ngarava (c), Blessing Muzarabani, Graeme Cremer.

Bangladesh (possible XI): Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain.

Verdict

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh

Bangladesh are tipped to win at odds of 1.41, with Innocent Kaia, Blessing Muzarabani, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Hasan Mahmud backed to star with bat and ball.