The Bangladesh cricket team will take on host Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club starting July 7.

The visitors head into the Zimbabwe tour after defeating Sri Lanka 2-1 in a three-match ODI series away from home in May. However, Bangladesh had suffered a 1-0 defeat in the two-match Test series held in the island nation.

As far as their squad is concerned, Bangladesh have added their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who makes a comeback for the one-off Test after he had skipped the Sri Lanka Test series in order to participate in the Indian T20 League 2021. 

The Mominul Haque-led side has also included the injured trio of Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed the second phase of the recently-concluded Dhaka Premier League.

Wicket-keeper batsman Nurul Hasan and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan have returned to the Test squad as well. The tourists also made a late addition by bringing in all-rounder Mahmudullah, who had last played a Test match against Pakistan in February 2020.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe cricket team has also announced their squad for the one-off Test. Led by Sean Williams, the hosts have added four uncapped players - Tanaka Chivanga, Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Dion Myers in their 20-man squad.

The hosts will look to put on a better show at home having suffered a 2-0 loss against Pakistan in the two-match Test series held in May.

The Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe also includes three ODIs and as many T20Is to be played at the Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh one-off Test and live India match times

Date	Match	Time (IST)	Venue
July 7-11	Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh	1:00 PM IST	Harare Sports Club

Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Test squads

Zimbabwe Test squad: Sean Williams (captain), Regis Chakabva (wicket-keeper), Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano

Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudullah

Where to watch Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh one-off Test live in India?  

Live streaming of the Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh one-off Test in India will be available on the FanCode app and website. 

The ZIM vs BAN Test match will not be telecast on any TV channels in India.

For Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Test live scores, visit SportsAdda.

Featured photo: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP

Skipper Virat Kohli said Thursday he welcomed the "buzz" around India's grand day-night Test debut but said pink-ball matches should not become a regular occurrence.

India begin their pink-ball journey against Bangladesh on Friday in Kolkata, with the first four days sold out, contrasting with daytime Tests in India when crowds are often sparse.

"This can be a one-off thing. It should not in my opinion become a regular scenario, because then you are losing out on that nervousness of the first session in the morning," Kohli told reporters at Eden Gardens.

"The entertainment of Test cricket lies in the fact that the batsman is trying to survive a session and the bowler trying to get a batsman out."

But he added: "It's great to create more buzz around Test cricket."

Read | The differences between red and pink ball in Test cricket

Day-night Tests, aimed at increasing crowds and TV audiences for the longer format, were successfully introduced in 2015 when Australia played New Zealand in Adelaide.

England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies have all played at least one day-night Test.

But until now, India have kept away, with its cricket board last year refusing to play a day-night Test in Adelaide.

"Obviously, we wanted to get a feel of pink-ball cricket. Eventually it had to happen," said Kohli.

- 'Heavy hockey ball' -

India lead the two-match series 1-0 after thrashing Bangladesh at Indore inside three days -- to largely empty stands.

A striking spectacle is planned for the start of the Test on Friday -- it is also Bangladesh's pink-ball debut -- with Bangladesh's prime minister and the local state chief minister set to begin proceedings by ringing the stadium bell.

Read | India vs Bangladesh: What to expect from the historic day-night Test

Kohli said the occasion reminded him of the 2016 World Twenty20 clash with arch-rivals Pakistan at Eden Gardens, which witnessed a host of big names in attendance including Imran Khan, former cricketer and now Pakistan's prime minister.

India's star batsman said that he found a few challenges facing the pink ball compared with the red ball used in regular daytime Tests.

"The one thing that surprised me was the fielding sessions. How in the slips the ball hit your hand so hard, it almost felt like a heavy hockey ball," Kohli said.

"It really felt like that on the hand and it's definitely because of the extra glaze of the ball. It's definitely much harder, and it felt a little heavier."

Kohli also said evening moisture will play a big part in Indian conditions despite the game scheduled to run from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm (0700 to 1430 GMT).

Read | A throwback to the best Test thrillers involving the pink ball

"Spoke to the match referee yesterday. It's something we'll have to speak about and discuss as we go along in the game. You can't really predict how much mopping or how much cleaning of the dew is required at which stage."

Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque said the biggest challenge would be to play the pink ball under lights.

"The glaze of the ball under the light may make it tricky for the batsmen," Mominul told reporters.

"Fielders will also find it challenging. Skill-wise, batsmen must be focused 100 percent each and every ball."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibgyangshu Sarkar

After seeing his side demolished by India, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said the players have tough lessons to learn from the world's top Test side if they are to compete on an international level.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 213 on Saturday bringing defeat in the first Test inside three days by a humbling innings and 130 runs after India had amassed 493-6 in their first innings.

Mominul took a calculated risk in choosing to bat first after winning the toss and did not reckon with India's pace attack, led by Mohammed Shami, who took three wickets Saturday.   

"They can learn everything from the India attack. Working with the old ball or new ball," a heartbroken Mominul told reporters.

Pace man Abu Jayed was a rare bright spot in the Bangladesh bowling attack, taking four wickets, including Indian captain Virat Kohli for a duck.

Mominul acknowledged that his side's batting had also let them down. Only Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 43 and 64, posed a threat to the Indian bowlers.

Read | Mayank Agarwal - the second double hundred and other stats

"The (Indian) bowling attack was challenging. It would have been easier for the rest of the batting line-up if the openers played out the first 15 to 20 overs."

Mominul added that it was possible Mushfiqur could be promoted up the order from his current number-five position for the second game starting Friday, which will be the first day-night Test in India.

Mominul said the result could only get better.

"I don't think we will face more swing than we did today," Mominul declared. "I think today was good practice. The pink ball will be challenging, but we must take it positively."

The opening match was Bangladesh's first in the new world test championship currently led by India. Mominul feels the tournament can only help Bangladesh's standing.

"We have to play a lot of Test matches. You can see in the last seven months we have played only two Tests," said Mominul, who insisted Bangladsh would have been left on the Test sidelines without the championship that guarantees a minimum number of games.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Indranil Mukherjee

Virat Kohli's India will be aiming to strengthen their number one position in the world Test championship when they start a two-match series against Bangladesh on Thursday.

India start as favourites to pick up 120 points from the two games against a Bangladesh side missing key players.

The hosts have recorded two sweeps in the five-day format since the start of the Test championship in August, beating South Africa and the West Indies. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are second and third, already 180 points behind though they have played only one series each.

India go into the first match in Indore boosted by a 2-1 Twenty20 series win over Bangladesh.

Kohli, who opted out of the T20 matches, returns to lead the side that recently won their record 11th straight series at home.

Rohit Sharma has been on hot form, hitting two centuries and a double ton in his debut series as opener against South Africa.

The pace department also looks settled despite the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah and played a key part in the three convincing Test wins over South Africa.

Bangladesh, under new captain Mominul Haque, had a troubled build-up to a series after star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was banned for two years, with one year suspended, by the International Cricket Council.

He admitted failing to declare illegal approaches by bookies and the ban ruled Shakib out of the tour and next year's World T20 in Australia.

Earlier a player revolt put the India tour in doubt before the national board gave in and increased match payments.

The touring side is also missing prolific opener Tamim Iqbal who took a break due to family reasons.

Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the team's batting alongside Mominul who was not part of the T20 squad.

"I never considered captaincy as pressure or responsibility. If I keep thinking that as a captain, I have to take extra responsibility to carry the team forward then I will be in some pressure," Mominul said after being named captain. 

"But if I play my natural game, and think that I am a batsman who needs to score for his team, then it will not have any effect."

The second match of the series will be the first day-night Test to be staged in India. Kolkata's Eden Gardens will host the spectacle.

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant

Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (capt), Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Saif Hasan, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain, Abu Jayed, Ebadat Hossain

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Indranil Mukherjee

Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said Wednesday the absence of banned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be like missing two players, as the team prepared for their two-Test series in India.

Bangladesh arrived in India in shock after Shakib was handed a two-year ban, with one-year suspended, for failing to declare illegal approaches by a bookmaker in 2018.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) ban ruled Shakib out of the tour and next year's World T20 in Australia.

The touring side is also missing prolific opener Tamim Iqbal, who took a break due to family reasons.

"We are missing three players in two players. Shakib bhai (brother) is two players in one, and then you have Tamim bhai," Mominul told reporters on the eve of the first Test in Indore starting Thursday.

"It is challenging, but I also see it as a chance to do well for the rest of the players."

Mominul, much to his surprise, was named Test captain in place of Shakib and the batsman feels the responsibility will only make him a better player.

"I will probably be playing like I have always played as a batsman," said the left-hander.

"The positive side of captaincy is that your cricket gyan (knowledge) becomes better."

The 28-year-old added: "It is a huge opportunity for me as one of the junior players. Not everyone becomes Test captain, so I want to take this opportunity to do something more for the country."

The series is Bangladesh's first in the newly introduced world Test championship led by India with two series sweeps under their belt.

Mominul said it was a "great opportunity" for Bangladesh's players to make an impression. 

"Playing a full series against India is a great opportunity for everyone in the team," said Mominul.

"Everyone wants to start well here, and on top of it we are playing the Test championship. Makes it a bigger opportunity for the players."

The second match of the series will be a day-night affair with the pink ball making its India debut at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

Mominul said "neither side has played pink-ball cricket", and that would spur them on to do well in the series.

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ STR

Mominul Haque says he was stunned to be named Bangladesh Test captain in place of the banned Shakib Al Hasan but is relishing the chance to take on Virat Kohli's side in India.

Shakib was banned last week by the International Cricket Council for two years, one of them suspended, for failing to declare attempts to bribe him.

Such is the fame of 32-year-old superstar Shakib that around 700 people took to the streets of his hometown in protest, with the prime minister expressing her anguish at the punishment.

Haque, 28, who has never led a top team in domestic cricket, told reporters ahead of the first Test in India next week that he was surprised to get the role.

"I was not ready at all. It was completely unexpected. I never thought even in my dreams that I will be the captain of Bangladesh or I will captain the Test side," he said late Wednesday.

Bangladesh's first two-Test series in India begins November 14 in Indore and ends with the inaugural day-night Test between the sides in Kolkata from November 22.  

"I am very excited as I think (Kohli) is the best player in the world, the best batsman in all formats combined. Thinking about that makes me feel good," Mominul said.

Mominul has played 36 Tests and scored 2,613 runs and has the highest average among his country's batsmen at 41.47.   

"We have not played a Test under the floodlights and with the pink ball. It is a very good chance to play good cricket," the left-hander said while insisting the captaincy would not affect his game.

"I never considered captaincy as pressure or responsibility. If I keep thinking that as a captain I have to take extra responsibility to carry the team forward then I will be in some pressure," he said. 

"But if I play my natural game, and think that I am a batsman who needs to score for his team, then it will not have any effect," he added.

Featured image courtesy: Instagram/ mominul68