Habibul Bashar's men's African safari will also include a three-match one-day series against neighbouring ICC associate members Kenya in August.

This is the Tigers' third visit to Zimbabwe since they entered the elite Test club in 2000. But this one is going to be altogether a different assignment for the boys of Dav Whatmore because for the first time they go into the series as favourites after their previous visits in 2001 and 2004.

Zimbabwe enjoy a superior home record against Bangladesh after winning both Test and one-day series against Bangladesh's lone one-day victory in six matches and one draw in four Test encounters.

But the whole scenario has changed following the departure of frontline Zimbabwean cricketers from the national team and that's why Bangladesh are relishing the prospect of recording their first-ever away series victory.

"There is no doubt that there were a number of world class cricketers in the Zimbabwean team when we first visited and then in 2004. Players like Heath Streak and Grant Flower were there. But you know everything has changed and we are going to face a very ordinary side which is the most significant difference between the previous and present trips. And there is no Test cricket," said captain Bashar, who started his career as captain in Zimbabwe in 2004, yesterday.

The visitors will also play under a different weather condition at this time of year. "You know our A team visited the country recently and we learnt from the players and officials that the weather is chilly. But that was not the case in the previous occasions," informed Bashar, who was also on the team in their first visit in 2001.

A very encouraging fact for the 33-year-old Bangladesh captain is that all his colleagues but pace spearhead Mashrafee Bin Mortuza have the experience of playing against the Africans either with national or A teams.

"We will get five days before the series and it would be good enough for us to adjust to the conditions. And interestingly all of us excepting Mashrafee have had an idea about the conditions there," he added.

Ace pacer Mashrafee is also excited about the fact that he is the only player on the team who is visiting the country for the first time.

"Yes, it is quite exciting for me. I am also looking forward to bowling out there as my colleagues have informed me that the Harare pitch offers a lot of assistance to the fast bowlers. My main concern is to finish the series without being hit by any injury. If would be nice if I could play all the matches on the tour," hoped the Narail Express.

Bangladesh will launch their campaign with a limited-overs practice match against Zimbabwe A on July 26 and then play the one-day internationals on July 29, 30 and August 2, 4 and 6.

Squad
Habibul Bashar (captain), Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafee Bin Mortuza, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Forhad Reza and Sakib Al Hasan.