Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, 1st Test at Sylhet

Bangladesh is kicking off their first Test match of 2025 against Zimbabwe, with the game being played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first.

The Test, which began on Sunday at 10:00 AM local time, is being played on a sporting pitch in Sylhet. Taking the pitch conditions into account, Bangladesh has gone with a balanced XI featuring three pacers, two spinners, and six specialist batters.

Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, and Syed Khaled Ahmed are leading the pace attack, while the spin department features veteran Taijul Islam and vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

The match is being broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV).

Historically, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have faced off in 18 Test matches. Bangladesh has won 8, Zimbabwe has claimed 7 victories, and 3 Tests have ended in draws. Their most recent clash was in 2021 in Harare, where Bangladesh won convincingly by 220 runs.

Zimbabwe last played a Test match on Bangladeshi soil in 2020, a match hosted at Mirpur, where the hosts secured an innings-and-106-run victory. Mushfiqur Rahim had starred in that match with a stellar 203-run innings.

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali(w), Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Craig Ervine(c), Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Nyasha Mayavo(w), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi