As the 2025 international cricket calendar gets underway, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are set to face off in a two-Test series, beginning Sunday in Sylhet. It marks the first red-ball outing of the year for both nations and a fresh chapter—one that carries themes of transition, ambition, and the pursuit of long-term Test relevance.
For Bangladesh, this series represents the dawn of a new era, following the end of their 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, which yielded four wins. Most notably, they closed the cycle with a thrilling victory over the West Indies in Kingston in December. The hosts are now seeking to become a more consistent force in Test cricket, and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has been vocal about the need for cultural change within the setup.
“As a captain, I think we need to play every match with the intention to win,” said Shanto. “We don’t want to play selfish cricket. I believe our Test cricket has been stagnant for the last 20-22 years. We need to change something, and that change starts from this series.”
The appointment of Phil Simmons as head coach has brought fresh perspective. The former West Indies coach has begun implementing his philosophy, with hopes that Bangladesh can capitalise on their relatively light Test schedule in 2025—five to six matches are expected—to solidify a more progressive and disciplined identity.
Yet, results at home remain a concern. Bangladesh have lost their last five home Tests, including a sobering defeat to Sri Lanka in Sylhet last year. Shanto acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in familiar conditions, emphasising that improved performances at home are essential for growth.
A key subplot will be Shanto’s own form. The left-hander has endured a lean patch in Test cricket, with just one fifty in his last ten innings and no century since November 2023. However, his domestic form has offered a glimmer of hope, with two half-centuries for Abahani Ltd in the Dhaka Premier League earlier this month.
“It’s frustrating to get out after scoring 30 or 40,” Shanto admitted. “I’ve worked on this and will continue to do so. Our top order hasn’t scored a Test hundred in over two years, and we need to give these players consistent opportunities to adapt and succeed at this level.”
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are embarking on a landmark year for their Test side. They are scheduled to play eleven Tests in 2025—their busiest red-ball calendar since 2001 and more than they’ve played in the last four years combined. This tour of Bangladesh is the first step in that journey, which includes a marquee one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge in May, followed by series at home against South Africa and New Zealand.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, one of only two players in the squad with prior Test experience in the subcontinent, has embraced the opportunity to reset expectations.
“We want to bring a no-fear attitude,” said Ervine. “Conditions here are unfamiliar, but our extended preparation helps. The young guys need exposure to varied conditions to mature. This is an exciting year with quality opponents, and a chance to see where we stand.”
Much will rest on the shoulders of veterans like Ervine and Sean Williams, the only two batters in the squad to have played Test cricket in Asia. However, the likes of Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, and Wessly Madhevere have impressed in patches and are drawing on the experience of their senior teammates.
“They’re asking questions—what has worked here, how to prepare mentally, what tweaks to make,” Ervine said. “That process started at home and is continuing here. It’s about adjusting smartly and believing in our plans.”
The Sylhet pitch, which produced a result inside four days during Bangladesh’s defeat to Sri Lanka last year, is expected to offer turn, placing added importance on both teams’ spin arsenals. For Bangladesh, it will be a chance to showcase their traditional strength in spin-friendly conditions, while Zimbabwe will look to their inexperienced group to adapt quickly.
As both sides begin the new year with renewed intent, the first Test is more than just a bilateral contest—it’s a gauge of how each team is trying to carve a meaningful identity in the longest format. For Bangladesh, it’s about cultural reset and home redemption. For Zimbabwe, it’s about embracing opportunity and building for the future.