ZIMBABWE senior men’s cricket team dance with Bangladesh tigers in two formats of the game in a month-long tour of the Asian country.
The tourists play the hosts in a practice match this Monday at Fatullah before they engage in the first Test in Dhaka, Bangladesh capital on October 25.
Three Tests and five One Day Internationals are lined up for the tour that Zimbabwe uses to prepare for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
A sojourn in the land of the tigers will help Steven Mangongo to gauge his lads ahead of the world’s biggest cricket extravaganza.
Zimbabwe camped in the Lowveld town of Triangle where temperatures soar to 34 degrees Celsius. The move was for his lads to adapt to the humid conditions they are to face in Dhaka.
Mangongo was happy with the camp that saw rookies impressing.
However, the suspension of Prosper Utseya leaves Mangongo with a headache as the off spinner was a vital cog in the Zimbabwe bowling attack.
Utseya was suspended from bowling at international level after he was found guilty of an illegal bowling practice. The Zimbabwean seasoned spinner will modify his bowling before he can apply for review of the sentence.
The void left by Utseya will be a blessing to rising stars who will be keen to fill it. Players who impressed Mangongo included John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Tawanda Mupariwa, Hebert Chikomba and Peter Moor.
There is need for new blood in the team as players continue to be recycled in the national team without producing results.
Zimbabwe A, the Chevrons’ developmental side were signing the blues in Bangladesh after they lost in all games they played against the hosts.
The tour of Bangladesh is Zimbabwe’s last practice tour before February’s World Cup in New Zealand. The Chevrons are in the same group with South Africa whom they played in July in a Tri-angular series with Australia.
Other countries that make the Pool B are Ireland, West Indies, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.

Line up
Brendan Taylor (Test Captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brain Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Natsai M’shangwe, Richmond Mutumbami, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Malcom Waller.
Brain Chari, Shingirai and Wellington Masakadza will return after the three Test matches and be replaced for the ODIs by three players from the following lot: Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Solomon Mire, Peter Moore, Tawanda Mupariwa and Brian Vitori