Mominul and Co leave for Zimbabwe

With an aim to better their away records against Zimbabwe, the Bangladesh Test squad left for the African nation in the early hours of Tuesday for a full series which will begin with the lone Test, starting from July 7, followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is.

Bangladesh do not possess a record worthy of boasting while playing away to Zimbabwe as the Tigers suffered a 2-1 defeat in ODIs while drawing both the Test and T20I series 1-1 during their last visit in the country for a full series back in 2013. That series also included a humiliating 355-run thumping of the Tigers in the first Test in Harare, venue of all the fixtures of the upcoming series.

The Mominul Haque-led side was the first of the three contingents to leave the country for Zimbabwe with the players of the ODI side scheduled to leave on July 9 while the T20 players will leave on July 16.

Bangladesh had made a sudden last-minute inclusion to their previously announced 17-member Test squad. Bangladesh T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, who last played the longer version 16 months ago and was dropped due to poor performance, returned to the squad with experienced cricketers Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim having some injury concerns.

However, a 17-member contingent left Dhaka for Zimbabwe with premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan set to join the team straight from the USA. Tigers' coaching staff members will also join the squad from their respective countries. Head coach Russel Domingo will be accompanied by newly-appointed batting consultant Ashwell Prince as the duo will join from South Africa. Spin consultant Rangana Herath will join the squad in Doha, Qatar, during their flight's transit while pace bowling coach Ottis Gibson will head directly to Zimbabwe from England.