Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Chevrons have stepped up preparations for their Test match against Bangladesh, which begins on Sunday at Harare Sports Club, as the hosts seek to build on the momentum from their last outing in the longest format of the game.
Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have shared a competitive Test rivalry spanning more than two decades, producing several memorable encounters over the years.
The Chevrons head into the contest on the back of victory over Afghanistan in their most recent Test match in October last year. Although Zimbabwe has spent much of the past year focused on white-ball cricket, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, the team believes it can carry that confidence into the Bangladesh series.
Batting coach Dion Ibrahim said preparations have been encouraging, with a balanced squad combining experience and emerging talent.
“It’s been a while, but we need to keep the momentum going. Every chance we get, we need to be at our best. The lads are in good spirits, and there is a nice blend of experienced and upcoming players. We will be ready come Sunday,” he said.
Ibrahim urged the team to approach the five-day encounter with discipline and focus, stressing the importance of executing the basics consistently.
“We need to be positive from the get-go and maintain our concentration throughout the five days. Test cricket is a format where the simple things pay off. There are going to be key moments, but if we stick to the basics and punish the bad balls, we give ourselves a good chance of winning the match,” he said.
Following the Test match, Zimbabwe will host Bangladesh in a One-Day International series at Harare Sports Club before travelling to Bulawayo for T20 internationals.
The Chevrons’ busy international schedule will continue next month when India are expected in Zimbabwe for a series of white-ball fixtures.
