Richard Ngarava to lead Zimbabwe in one-off Test against Bangladesh

When Zimbabwe plays Bangladesh in a one-off match starting on June 28 at the Harare Sports Club, Richard Ngarava will lead the team for the first time in a Test match.

On Tuesday, June 23, Zimbabwe Cricket announced a 15-player lineup for the match. Sikandar Raza was the only notable absentee because he was given permission to continue playing for Worcestershire in England's T20 Blast.

Zimbabwe's first Test since their victory over Afghanistan in October 2025 will be this one. In that match, Ngarava made a big impression with his five-wicket haul, and Ben Curran's century and Brad Evans' five-for also played a big role in the win by an innings and 73 runs.

Five players who did not participate in the Afghanistan Test are included in the squad for the Test against Bangladesh. After putting in strong performances in both domestic and representative cricket, Newman Nyamhuri, Innocent Kaia, Graeme Cremer, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Wessly Madhevere have all been recalled.

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh last met in a two-Test series in Bangladesh in April-May last year, with the teams sharing the honours. Before Bangladesh came back to level the series in the second game, Zimbabwe won the first Test by three wickets, their first win in the format in four years.

Zimbabwe squad: Richard Ngarava (c), 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.