Is Blessing Muzarabani among the 6 players with the most wickets in Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Tests?
With the Test series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe getting underway in Sylhet on Sunday, it gets fans thinking about previous battles between these two relative Test minnows.
The sides first faced each other in 2001, and since then they have squared up against each other a further 17 times. That means the current series will see them facing each other in Tests 19 and 20.
Over that time, some of the biggest cricketing names in the history of the two nations have done duty with some fantastic results.
Let’s take a moment to look at the six bowlers who have managed more than 20 wickets in Bangladesh versus Zimbabwe games.
6. Heath Streak (Zimbabwe)
20 wickets from 6 Tests at an average of 16.20
Heath Streak is Zimbabwe’s greatest fast bowler, and his record against Bangladesh is a testament to both his consistency and skill. Despite playing just six matches against them, Streak took 20 wickets at a sensational average of 16.20 — the best average on this list.
His effectiveness with the new ball and ability to extract movement on subcontinental pitches made him a standout performer. Streak was not just a strike bowler but also a leader who held Zimbabwe’s attack together during the early 2000s.
His best performances often came in tight contests, and his impact remains significant in this bilateral history.
5. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
20 wickets from 4 Tests at an average of 17.50
One of Bangladesh’s newer stars, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been a reliable off-spinner since his debut in 2016. Against Zimbabwe, he’s already made a big mark, claiming 20 wickets in just four Tests at an excellent average of 17.50.
What stands out about Mehidy is his ability to bowl long spells and exploit any hint of turn on offer. Whether bowling in the first innings or when defending targets late in games, he’s shown remarkable maturity and control.
His returns against Zimbabwe include multiple four-wicket hauls and a match-winning performance in Dhaka in 2020. Miraz is actively involved in the current series, so expect his position on this list to improve.
4. Enamul Haque (Bangladesh)
21 wickets from 3 Tests at an average of 22.76
Enamul Haque Jr.’s Test career was relatively short-lived, but the left-arm spinner’s performances against Zimbabwe were among his finest moments.
Across just three matches, he picked up 21 wickets, including one memorable 12-wicket match haul in 2005 in Dhaka — the best match figures by a Bangladeshi bowler at the time. At a time when Bangladesh were still finding their feet in Test cricket, Enamul’s success gave the team a rare bowling hero.
His accuracy and ability to extract bounce and sharp turn on home pitches made him a match-winner in those early encounters.
3. Kyle Jarvis (Zimbabwe)
24 wickets from 5 Tests at an average of 24.29
A genuine fast bowler with pace and aggression, Kyle Jarvis was one of Zimbabwe’s key weapons during the 2010s.
His record of 24 wickets in just five Tests against Bangladesh is impressive, especially considering Zimbabwe’s inconsistent Test schedule and conditions that often didn’t suit fast bowling.
Jarvis struck early in innings and could reverse the old ball as well, making him effective even in the later stages of games. He often played a lone hand in Zimbabwe’s bowling attack but did so with heart and control, troubling Bangladesh’s top order repeatedly.
2. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
31 wickets from 7 Tests at an average of 23.58
One of the greatest all-rounders of his generation, Shakib Al Hasan has contributed in every format for Bangladesh, and his Test record against Zimbabwe is excellent with both bat and ball. His 31 wickets in seven matches, at an average of 23.58, include several match-turning spells.
As a left-arm spinner, Shakib has always been accurate and attacking, often bowling around the wicket to create awkward angles. Against Zimbabwe, he’s thrived on home surfaces that offer assistance to spinners, delivering both control and penetration. Shakib’s ability to deliver in both innings has been crucial in many of Bangladesh’s victories.
1. Taijul Islam (Bangladesh)
41 wickets from 7 Tests at an average of 22.12
Topping the list is another left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam. His 41 wickets in just seven Tests against Zimbabwe not only highlight his effectiveness in the fixture but also speak to his development into one of Bangladesh’s premier Test bowlers.
Taijul has a knack for producing big spells — including multiple five-wicket hauls — and he’s known for extracting turn and bounce even on slower wickets.
His standout performances include a 10-wicket match haul in Mirpur in 2018 and several crucial wickets in Chattogram and Sylhet. His consistent ability to dismiss Zimbabwe’s top and middle order has made him a go-to option in this rivalry.
Taijul Islam is playing in the current series so his position at the top of this list could be even further entrenched by the end of the series.
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