Ngarava to lead Zimbabwe in one-off Test against Bangladesh

Richard Ngarava will captain Zimbabwe for the first time in Test cricket in the one-off match against Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club, starting June 28.

Zimbabwe Cricket announced a 15-member squad on Tuesday, with Sikandar Raza absent after being granted permission to continue his commitments with Worcestershire in the T20 Blast.

Zimbabwe 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, Tafadzwa Tsiga.

This is Zimbabwe's first Test since their victory over Afghanistan in October 2025. Ngarava took a five-wicket haul in that match, while Ben Curran's century and Brad Evans' five-for were instrumental in the innings-and-73-run win.

Five players from that Afghanistan Test are not in this squad. Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri have been recalled following strong domestic performances.

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh last met in a two-Test series in Bangladesh in April-May last year, which ended 1-1. Zimbabwe won the opening Test — their first Test victory in four years — before Bangladesh levelled the series in the second match.