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The Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches have developed into one of the more familiar rivalries in international cricket. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have faced each other regularly across Test, ODI and T20I cricket, producing competitive series, close finishes and several memorable individual performances.
Both teams have experienced periods of dominance in this rivalry. Bangladesh have generally enjoyed the stronger overall record in ODI and T20I cricket, while Test cricket has been much more evenly balanced. Zimbabwe have also produced important victories, particularly in home conditions.
The rivalry has remained active in recent years, with both teams meeting in Test, ODI and T20I series. In 2026, Zimbabwe enjoyed a strong home Test and ODI campaign before Bangladesh fought back to win the T20I series 2-1.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head Record
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have played more than 130 international matches across the three major formats. Bangladesh have the better overall record, particularly in ODI cricket.
In Tests, the teams have played 20 matches. Bangladesh have won nine, Zimbabwe have won eight and three matches have ended in draws.
The ODI record is more strongly in Bangladesh’s favor. The teams have played 84 ODIs, with Bangladesh winning 52 and Zimbabwe winning 32.
In T20I cricket, Bangladesh have also established an advantage, winning 18 of the 27 matches compared with Zimbabwe’s nine victories.
| Format | Matches | Bangladesh Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draw/Tie/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 20 | 9 | 8 | 3 Draws |
| ODIs | 84 | 52 | 32 | 0 |
| T20Is | 27 | 18 | 9 | 0 |
| Total | 131 | 79 | 49 | 3 Draws |
These figures show that Bangladesh have had the stronger overall record, although the Test rivalry is remarkably close.
Early History of Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches
Zimbabwe were one of the early international opponents Bangladesh faced after Bangladesh became an ODI-playing nation.
The first ODI between the two teams took place in 1997 at Nairobi. Zimbabwe won that match by 48 runs. It marked the beginning of a rivalry that would become increasingly important for Bangladesh as the country developed its international cricket program.
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe subsequently became regular opponents in bilateral series. Zimbabwe initially held the advantage, but Bangladesh gradually improved and began winning more consistently, especially in ODI cricket.
The balance of power changed significantly during the 2000s and 2010s as Bangladesh established itself as a stronger limited-overs team.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Test Match History
The Test rivalry between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is one of the most closely contested aspects of their cricket history.
The two sides have played 20 Tests, with Bangladesh winning nine, Zimbabwe winning eight and three matches drawn.
Zimbabwe won several early Test encounters, but Bangladesh gradually became more competitive. Bangladesh’s improvement in batting depth and spin bowling helped them achieve a series of important Test victories.
One of Bangladesh’s notable Test victories came in February 2020 when they defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs. Bangladesh scored 560/6 declared, while Zimbabwe were dismissed for 265 and 189.
Bangladesh also produced a huge 220-run victory in the 2021 one-off Test, scoring 468 and declaring at 284/1 before bowling Zimbabwe out for 276 and 256.
However, Zimbabwe have also demonstrated their Test strength in recent years.
2025 Test Series: Zimbabwe Strike Back
The 2025 Test series in Bangladesh produced a split result.
Zimbabwe won the first Test at Sylhet by three wickets. Bangladesh scored 191 and 255, while Zimbabwe made 273 and successfully chased the target after reaching 174/7.
Bangladesh responded strongly in the second Test at Chattogram.
Bangladesh scored 444 in their first innings, while Zimbabwe were dismissed for 227 and 111. Bangladesh therefore won by an innings and 106 runs.
The series ended 1-1 and demonstrated the competitive nature of the Test rivalry.
| 2025 Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st Test, Sylhet | Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets |
| 2nd Test, Chattogram | Bangladesh won by an innings and 106 runs |
| Series | Drawn 1-1 |
2026 Test: Zimbabwe Produce a Dominant Victory
The latest Test meeting before the limited-overs series came in June 2026 at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe produced one of their most impressive Test performances against Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe scored 410 in their first innings, while Bangladesh were dismissed for 140. Bangladesh then managed only 185 in the second innings.
Zimbabwe therefore won by an innings and 85 runs.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 410 |
| Bangladesh | 140 |
| Bangladesh | 185 |
| Result | Zimbabwe won by an innings and 85 runs |
The victory gave Zimbabwe an important boost ahead of their ODI and T20I series against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI History
ODI cricket has traditionally been the format in which Bangladesh have had the greatest success against Zimbabwe.
The teams have played 84 ODIs, with Bangladesh winning 52 and Zimbabwe winning 32.
Bangladesh’s dominance became particularly clear during the 2010s and early 2020s. The Tigers regularly won bilateral ODI series against Zimbabwe, often using strong batting performances and disciplined bowling.
However, Zimbabwe remain capable of producing strong results at home.
The 2022 ODI series was an excellent example. Zimbabwe won the first two matches before Bangladesh won the third. Zimbabwe won the first ODI by five wickets after chasing 304 and then won the second by another five wickets after successfully chasing 291. Bangladesh responded with a 105-run victory in the third match.
2021 ODI Series: Bangladesh’s Dominance
Bangladesh produced a powerful ODI series against Zimbabwe in 2021.
In the opening ODI, Bangladesh scored 276/9 before dismissing Zimbabwe for only 121, winning by 155 runs.
Bangladesh then won the second ODI by three wickets and the third by five wickets.
The three-match series therefore ended in a 3-0 clean sweep for Bangladesh.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Bangladesh won by 155 runs |
| 2nd ODI | Bangladesh won by 3 wickets |
| 3rd ODI | Bangladesh won by 5 wickets |
| Series | Bangladesh won 3-0 |
This series remains one of the clearest examples of Bangladesh’s ODI superiority over Zimbabwe.
2022 ODI Series: Zimbabwe Fight Back
Zimbabwe responded strongly when Bangladesh returned for a three-match ODI series in 2022.
The first match saw Zimbabwe chase 304 successfully. They scored 307/5 and won by five wickets.
In the second ODI, Zimbabwe again chased a large total. Bangladesh scored 290/9, but Zimbabwe reached 291/5 and won by five wickets.
Bangladesh avoided a clean sweep by winning the third ODI by 105 runs.
The series demonstrated Zimbabwe’s ability to compete with Bangladesh when playing aggressive ODI cricket.
2026 ODI Series in Zimbabwe
The latest ODI series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe took place in July 2026.
Zimbabwe won the opening two matches before Bangladesh produced a strong response in the third ODI.
In the first ODI, Zimbabwe scored 141 and bowled Bangladesh out for 116, winning by 25 runs.
Zimbabwe then scored 247/6 in the second ODI and defeated Bangladesh by 13 runs after Bangladesh were dismissed for 234.
Bangladesh bounced back in the third match. Zimbabwe scored 199, while Bangladesh reached 200/3 in only 36 overs to win by seven wickets.
| ODI | Zimbabwe | Bangladesh | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 141 | 116 | Zimbabwe won by 25 runs |
| 2nd ODI | 247/6 | 234 | Zimbabwe won by 13 runs |
| 3rd ODI | 199 | 200/3 | Bangladesh won by 7 wickets |
| Series | Zimbabwe won 2-1 |
This was an important series victory for Zimbabwe on home soil.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I History
Bangladesh have also enjoyed a strong advantage in T20I cricket.
The teams have played 27 T20Is, with Bangladesh winning 18 and Zimbabwe winning nine. The first T20I between the sides was played in Khulna in November 2006, when Bangladesh won by 43 runs.
The rivalry has produced several close T20 matches, particularly in Bangladesh.
The 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup meeting was another important encounter. Bangladesh scored 150/7 and defeated Zimbabwe by three runs in a dramatic finish.
2024 T20I Series: Bangladesh Dominate Zimbabwe
Bangladesh produced an excellent performance during the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in May 2024.
Bangladesh won the first four matches before Zimbabwe managed to win the final game.
The first T20I was won by Bangladesh by eight wickets. Bangladesh then won the second match by six wickets and the third by nine runs.
The fourth match was extremely close, with Bangladesh winning by five runs.
Zimbabwe finally ended the series on a positive note by winning the fifth T20I by eight wickets.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Bangladesh won by 8 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | Bangladesh won by 6 wickets |
| 3rd T20I | Bangladesh won by 9 runs |
| 4th T20I | Bangladesh won by 5 runs |
| 5th T20I | Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets |
| Series | Bangladesh won 4-1 |
2026 T20I Series: Bangladesh Fight Back
The 2026 T20I series in Bulawayo was much more competitive.
Zimbabwe won the first match by 32 runs after scoring 170/6 and dismissing Bangladesh for 138.
Bangladesh responded in the second T20I by scoring 186/5 and bowling Zimbabwe out for 152, winning by 34 runs.
The deciding third match was won by Bangladesh by four wickets. Zimbabwe scored 143/7, while Bangladesh reached 144/6 in 19.4 overs.
| T20I | Zimbabwe | Bangladesh | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 170/6 | 138 | Zimbabwe won by 32 runs |
| 2nd | 152 | 186/5 | Bangladesh won by 34 runs |
| 3rd | 143/7 | 144/6 | Bangladesh won by 4 wickets |
| Series | Bangladesh won 2-1 |
The comeback gave Bangladesh another T20I series victory over Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe in ICC T20 World Cup
The two teams have also met in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
One of their most memorable World Cup meetings came in 2022 at The Gabba in Australia.
Bangladesh scored 150/7 and Zimbabwe made 147/8. Bangladesh won by three runs in a thrilling finish.
The match was eventually decided in the final over after Zimbabwe came extremely close to completing the chase.
This fixture demonstrated how evenly matched the teams can become in short-format cricket, even though Bangladesh have the stronger overall T20I record.
Key Players in Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Matches
The rivalry has featured some outstanding cricketers from both countries.
Shakib Al Hasan has been one of Bangladesh’s most important players against Zimbabwe. His all-round ability has repeatedly influenced matches with both bat and ball.
Tamim Iqbal has also played many important innings against Zimbabwe, particularly in ODI cricket. His ability to control the opening overs has been a major part of Bangladesh’s success.
Mushfiqur Rahim has contributed important middle-order runs and wicketkeeping performances throughout the rivalry.
For Zimbabwe, Brendan Taylor was one of the most influential players of the previous generation. His batting and leadership played a major role in Zimbabwe’s competitive performances.
Sikandar Raza has become another important figure in Zimbabwe cricket. His all-round ability makes him particularly valuable in limited-overs matches.
Sean Williams has also been a significant player for Zimbabwe, contributing both with the bat and his left-arm spin.
Major Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Match Results
| Year | Format | Match Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ODI | Zimbabwe won by 48 runs |
| 2006 | T20I | Bangladesh won by 43 runs |
| 2020 | Test | Bangladesh won by an innings and 106 runs |
| 2021 | Test | Bangladesh won by 220 runs |
| 2021 | ODI | Bangladesh won by 155 runs |
| 2022 | ODI | Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets |
| 2022 | ODI | Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets |
| 2022 | T20I World Cup | Bangladesh won by 3 runs |
| 2023 | T20I | Bangladesh won by 6 wickets |
| 2024 | T20I | Bangladesh won 4-1 |
| 2025 | Test | Series drawn 1-1 |
| 2026 | Test | Zimbabwe won by an innings and 85 runs |
| 2026 | ODI | Zimbabwe won series 2-1 |
| 2026 | T20I | Bangladesh won series 2-1 |
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head Records by Format
| Category | Bangladesh | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Test wins | 9 | 8 |
| Test matches | 20 | 20 |
| ODI wins | 52 | 32 |
| ODI matches | 84 | 84 |
| T20I wins | 18 | 9 |
| T20I matches | 27 | 27 |
| Overall wins | 79 | 49 |
The statistics show Bangladesh’s overall advantage, but Zimbabwe remain much more competitive in Tests than the limited-overs record might suggest.
Biggest Turning Points in the Rivalry
Several periods changed the direction of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches.
Bangladesh’s rise in ODI cricket: During the 2010s, Bangladesh became increasingly dominant in ODI cricket and began regularly winning bilateral series against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s home advantage: Zimbabwe have often performed better against Bangladesh when playing at home. Their ODI series victory in 2022 and the 2026 2-1 ODI series win are examples.
Bangladesh’s Test improvement: Bangladesh moved from being regularly challenged by Zimbabwe to winning major Test matches by large margins.
Zimbabwe’s Test resurgence: The 2025 Test victory in Sylhet and the huge innings-and-85-run victory in Harare in 2026 showed that Zimbabwe remain capable of dominating Bangladesh in the longest format.
Competitive T20 cricket: The teams have produced several close T20 matches, including Bangladesh’s three-run World Cup victory in 2022.
Why Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Matches Are Important
The Bangladesh-Zimbabwe rivalry is important because both teams have used these contests to strengthen their international cricket programs.
For Bangladesh, matches against Zimbabwe have provided opportunities to build confidence and develop players in all three formats.
For Zimbabwe, Bangladesh have often represented a strong but beatable opponent. Victories against Bangladesh have helped Zimbabwe demonstrate their ability to compete with established international teams.
The rivalry also gives fans frequent opportunities to watch two teams with different cricketing styles compete against one another.
Future of Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches
The rivalry is likely to remain competitive as both nations continue developing their squads.
Bangladesh have a strong tradition in limited-overs cricket and continue to produce technically skilled batters and quality spin bowlers. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have been developing a younger generation around experienced players.
The results of the 2026 series showed that neither team can be taken lightly. Zimbabwe won the Test and ODI encounters at home, while Bangladesh came back strongly to win the T20I series 2-1.
Future ICC events and bilateral tours could therefore add more memorable chapters to this rivalry.
FAQs About Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches
How many Test matches have Bangladesh and Zimbabwe played?
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have played 20 Test matches. Bangladesh have won nine, Zimbabwe have won eight and three matches have ended in draws.
How many ODIs have Bangladesh and Zimbabwe played?
The two teams have played 84 ODIs. Bangladesh have won 52 while Zimbabwe have won 32.
How many T20Is have Bangladesh and Zimbabwe played?
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have played 27 T20Is. Bangladesh have won 18 and Zimbabwe have won nine.
Who has the better overall record between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe?
Bangladesh have the better overall record. They lead Zimbabwe in Test, ODI and T20I victories, although the Test record is relatively close.
Who won the latest Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Test match?
Zimbabwe won the latest Test by an innings and 85 runs in Harare in June 2026. Zimbabwe scored 410, while Bangladesh were dismissed for 140 and 185.
Who won the latest Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI series?
Zimbabwe won the three-match ODI series in July 2026 by 2-1. Zimbabwe won the first two matches before Bangladesh won the third by seven wickets.
Who won the latest Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I series?
Bangladesh won the three-match T20I series in July 2026 by 2-1. Zimbabwe won the first match, but Bangladesh won the second and third matches.
What was the closest famous Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup match?
One of the most memorable meetings was the 2022 T20 World Cup match at The Gabba, where Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by only three runs.
Conclusion
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches have produced a long and competitive international rivalry spanning more than two decades.
Bangladesh currently have the stronger overall record, particularly in ODI and T20I cricket. However, Zimbabwe have consistently demonstrated that they can challenge Bangladesh, especially in home conditions.
The 2025 and 2026 Test encounters showed how competitive the longest format has become, while the 2026 ODI and T20I series demonstrated the changing balance between the two teams.
With both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe continuing to develop talented players, future matches should provide more close contests, memorable performances and important results across international cricket.
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