The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda , Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER being whitewashed 3-0 in the One Day International series which ended last Friday, Zimbabwe now shift focus to the longer version of the game, with the first cricket Test getting underway next Saturday.
Despite an improved batting display, the Chevrons were clean swept 3-0 in the ODIs, which means they have not won an international match since March when they defeated Ireland by 107 runs in an International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe will certainly look to build on their positive batting, which saw Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza were some of the highest run scorers in the series.
Williams, who struck a career best 129 in the final ODI last Friday was the second run scorer in the series with 226 runs with Bangladesh batsmen Imrul Kayes on 349.
Brendan Taylor was the third highest run contributor with 155 runs while Raza was fifth with 96.
The bowlers, who were outstanding when Zimbabwe toured South Africa, found the going tough in Bangladesh.
Pace bowler Kyle Jarvis was the leading wicket taker in the series with five wickets but did not find much support with the rest of the bowlers struggling.
Even leg spinner Brandon Mavuta, in such splendid form in South Africa was expected to flourish on spinner friendly pitches but he found the going tough.
Mavuta, who recently got signed up by the Durban Heat for the inaugural Mzansi Super League only picked up one wicket in the two matches he played and was dropped for the last ODI.
The Chevrons will play a warm up fixture, a three day encounter from Monday to Wednesday prior to the first Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet from 3 to 7 November.
Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka is the venue for the second Test which is scheduled for 11 to 15 November. Batsmen, Brian Chari, Ryan Burl and Regis Chakabva are the additions to the Zimbabwean squad for the Tests in Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe Test Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Brian Chari, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara
— @Mdawini_29
