National selector Alistair Campbell believes Zimbabwe's preparations for their return to Test cricket will stand them in good stead, but admitted that mental strength remained the team's greatest challenge. Zimbabwe are due to return to Tests with a one-off match against Bangladesh, starting on August 4.
"Obviously there will be nerves flying around on our side because everyone will be watching how we are going to perform," Campbell said. "But the players realise the expectations and they would need to give a good account of themselves. Of course, there is going to be pressure on the boys as they may push too hard to impress.
"But in any professional sport you need to apply the mental strength and be able to play under pressure. In our case we have to improve on that part. I believe the more we play at the highest level the more we will be able to improve."
Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe is due to start with a three-day warm-up match against a Zimbabwe XI in Harare, starting on Saturday. The match will provide valuable practice in long format cricket for Bangladesh, as they haven't have played a Test since the Old Trafford match almost 14 months ago.
While a few members of the Test squad - such as offspinner Nasir Hossain, national regular Junaid Siddique and the recalled Mohammad Ashraful - played a couple of unofficial Tests for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in April, Bangladesh's preparations have been limited to a long fitness camp and some two-day games against the Academy side before the tour. Still, captain Shakib Al Hasan believes that they go into the series as favourites.
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