Overview

• Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Test match of the series against Zimbabwe in Sylhet on April 20, 2025.
• Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Khaled Ahmed returned to the Bangladesh XI, while Liton Das and Taskin Ahmed are notable absentees from the squad.
• Zimbabwe, led by captain Craig Ervine, also welcomed back experienced allrounder Sean Williams after both missed their last Test series against Ireland.
• Bangladesh is looking to build on its moderate Test success from last year, which included three wins in ten matches, while Zimbabwe is aiming to break a Test win drought that dates back to March 2021.
• The playing XIs feature a mix of experienced players and newer faces, with Bangladesh opening with Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam, and Zimbabwe fielding Ben Curran and Nick Welch at the top of their order.