Zimbabwe have recalled five players and handed Richard Ngarava the Test captaincy as they unveiled a revamped squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh, which gets underway on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.
Ngarava will lead the side in the longest format for the first time, taking charge of a squad that blends experienced campaigners with returning players eager to re-establish themselves at international level.
Among those recalled are Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri, all of whom forced their way back into contention through impressive performances in domestic and representative cricket.
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The selectors have, however, been deprived of the services of star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has been allowed to honour his commitments with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in England during the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast season.
Zimbabwe head into the contest buoyed by memories of their dominant innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club last October. Ngarava starred with a five-wicket haul in that encounter, while Ben Curran struck a century and Brad Evans also claimed five wickets as the hosts secured one of their biggest Test victories in recent years.
The upcoming fixture will renew Zimbabwe’s growing rivalry with Bangladesh. The two teams shared the spoils in their previous Test series, played in Bangladesh in April and May last year, with Zimbabwe claiming a memorable three-wicket win in the opening match before the hosts bounced back to level the series.
The squad
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 and Tafadzwa Tsiga.
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