Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have lot of similarities as a cricket nation both in terms of strength and records as the two teams often fight it out to overtake each other.
A similar battle will begin today when they will be involved in a three-match Test series for the first time in their fledging cricket history. Unsurprisingly, they will begin this rivalry too on a par as only very few players from both sides have the experience of being involved in such a long series.
Bangladesh have played in a three-match Test series only twice, the last time they tasted the experience was in 2007 when they travelled to Sri Lanka.
The Tigers participated in their first three-match Test series, was against Pakistan in 2003.
Only two players in the current Bangladesh squad in Mushfiqur Rahim and Sakib al Hasan have the experience of playing a three-match Test series.
Zimbabwe have just one player in Hamilton Masakadza to have experienced such a feat during their tour of Sri Lanka in 2001-2002.
’It’s been 10 years, over 12 years, since we played three-match Test series,’ said Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor.
‘[So] the guys worked very hard on the fitness. The conditions are always challenging with the humidity. That’s the way it goes. Test cricket is never going to be easy,’
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim also reckoned that it will be a challenge for his side too.
‘It will be a challenge especially for the bowlers,’ said Mushfiq, adding that Bangladesh should not be worried as they did not play too many Tests in recent past.
‘We haven’t played many Tests this year,’ said Musshfiq. ‘If you ask me, I am ready to play ten Tests. It’s been that sort of year.’
‘So even if they are physically stronger than us, I think what will matter more in the long run is how well they adapt to the conditions, he said.
-With New Age input
