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CricInfo reports that Zimbabwe are targeting a return to Test cricket next year, with the first fixtures expected to be a home series against Bangladesh and a one-off Test against South Africa - a fixture that looks likely to become an annual feature. The news came following a netting between ZC chairman Peter Chingoka and the ICC's David Morgan and Laroon Horgat. Chingoks also indicated that ZC would be seeking to arrange further fixtures with other sides at the lower end of the Test rankings, with the West Indies and New Zealand being specifically mentioned.

About time, too, and the plan of taking on weaker sides first is a sensible one. As for the South Africa fixture, the rumour mill has had stories for a while about ZC and CSA instituting an annual fixture as a "curtain raiser" to both countries' domestic seasons - it had been expected that would be ODI matches, but a Test match works just as well for me. The Bangladesh series is expected to follow next year's World Cup, and can't come soon enough.
CricInfo - Zimbabwe Targets 2011 Test Return

Far from being a chance for Zimbabwe to claim a consolation win, the 5th Youth ODI turned into a complete rout by Bangladesh as they romped home to a 121-run victory. Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field, giving the Bangladeshis free access to a bowling attack that simply didn't have anything to offer - in their 50 overs, Bangladesh scored 270 for the loss of just two wickets, with Anamul Haque (109) and Amit Majumder (129) both scoring centuries. The Zimbabwean bowling figures were nothing to write home about, but Simon Mugava led the bunch with 1/43 from 9 overs bowled.

The batting continued in the same ineffectual form that the bowling had - Gary Chirimuta's 40 was the only knock of note, with Daly Scott (25) and Edgar Jaure (22) the only others to pass 20. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 in the 35th over, with Sabbir Rahman taking 4/13 in an impressive performance.

Not much to add, really. Yes, Zimbabwe were under-strength for this tour thanks to exam season back home, but given how close they came in some earlier matches in the series, going home winless is a real disappointment. Full scorecard below the cut.
Bangladesh 270/2 (50 overs; Amit Majumder 129, Mugava 1/43), Zimbabwe 149 (34.4 overs; Chirimuta 40, Sabbir Rahman 4/13). Bangladesh U19 win by 121 runs.

Another match, another loss for Zimbabwe's U19 side as Bangladesh continue to prove to be too strong for them - although, given that a number of first-choice players were unavailable for the tour due to school commitments, the side's performances continue to be promising. On this occasion, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field, and some early key wickets had them set well with Bangladesh on 15/2. Tasmamul Hawue (55) and Mominul Haque (70) then combined to add 119 for the 3rd wicket, with captain Mahmudul Hasan adding an unbeaten 52* of his own. While those three were the only knocks of note in the innings, it was enough to see Bangladesh to a total of 250/8 from their 50 overs. Richard Muzhange took 3/37 for Zim, backed up by Tendai Chitara's 3/60.

The difference between the sides turned out to be one decent batsman - while Bangladesh managed to rustle up three decent innings, Zimbabwe only managed two, by Daly Scott (68) and Natsai Mushangwe (45). The lack of support from the rest of the lineup saw Zimbabwe bowled out for 207 with two overs remaining, giving Bangladesh a 43-run victory and a 4-0 series lead. Full scorecard below the cut.
Bangladesh 250/8 (50 overs; Mominul Hawue 70, Muzhange 3/37), Zimbabwe 207 (48 overs; Scott 68, Abul Hasan 4/38). Bangladesh U19 win by 43 runs.

Scorecard for Bangaldesh Cricket Board XI v Zimbabwe U19 (tour match) below the cut.
BCB XI 254/8 (50 overs; Anamul Haque 60, Mushangwe 3/36), Zimbabwe U19 221 (48.4 overs; Mazhawidza 65, Noor Hossain 2/33). BCB XI win by 33 runs

..and finally for now, the 3rd Youth ODI. Another win for Bangladesh, which secures them the 5-match series, but once again Zimbabwe didn't disgrace themselves. Batting first, Bangladesh were restricted to 186 after being bowled out in the final (41st) over, giving Zimbabwe a total which was definitely chasable. Edgar Jaure led the bowling with 2/10 from three overs - Zim seemed to be experimenting a little, and used 8 bowlers during the innings, with 7 of them claiming scalps. It was the batting that let the side down once again, though, as apart from Dean Mazhawidza (39) and Natsai Mushangwe (38), none of the Zimbabweans managed to build even a half-decent innings (no other batsman passed 20). The side were bowled out in the 40th over, 21 runs short of their target. Full scorecard below the cut.
Bangladesh 186 (40.2 overs; Mominul Haque 67, Jaure 2/10), Zimbabwe 165 (39.1 overs; Mazhawidza 39, Anul Hasan 4/27). Bangladesh U19 win by 21 runs.

Onto the second match, which was a painfully close affair. Zimbabwe again batted first, setting a target of 193, with the batting once again led by Dean Mazhawidza (42). The top order managed a decent display this time, but the tail once again collapsed and prevent Zim from setting a better target. It was almost enough, though, as Zim's bowling finally clicked - three top-ored ducks, and Bangladesh were in trouble. Tendai Chitara took 4/35, while Simon Mugava took 3/31 to very nearly secure victory for Zimbabwe - but the final wicket proved elusive, and Bangladesh reached the target with just over 3 overs - and only one wicket - to spare. Sooo close, and a good performance by Zimbabwe, bu it just wasn't to be on the day. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 193 (49.3 overs; Mazhawidza 42, Abul Hasan 5/26), Bangladesh 195/9 (46.2 overs; Noor Hossain 65, Chitara 4/35). Bangladesh U19 win by 1 wicket.

I'm just doing quick summaries of the first three Youth ODIs - didn't get to pay much attention to them due to illness. In general, though, the boys seem to have done quite well and have been unlucky to go without a win so far. The first ODI saw Zimbabwe's batting collapse in predictable fashion, with 7 scores in single figures. The side were given a fighting chance, though, by the innings of Dean Mazhawidza (77) and Gary Chirimuta (51), who helped the side to 204 before being bowled out in the final over. It wasn't quite enough, though, as Bangladesh chased down the total with 4 overs to spare - Zimbabwe's bowling had a hard time penetrating the Bangladeshi defences, and that eventually cost them. Simon Mugava was the best of the bowlers, taken 2/30 from his 10 overs. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 204 (49.4 overs; Mazhawida 77, Kamrul Islam 3/37), Bangladesh 208/4 (45.5 overs; Mominul Hawue 65*, Mugava 2/30). Bangladesh U19 win by 6 wickets.

With the senior squad on their way back after receiving a few bloodied noses, the Under-19 side are now on their way to Bangladesh for a short tour, and with the side short a number of key players due to school committments there's every likelihood they'll receive the same treatement. The squad for the trip is:
Tinotenda Mutombodzi (captain), Brian Chari, Stephen Chimhamhiwa, Gary Chirimuta, Tendai Chatara, Mxolisi Dube, Edzai Jaure, Roy Kahiya, Dean Mazhawidza, Tinashe Mhora, Natsayi Mushangwe, Simon Mugava, Daly Scott, Richard Muzhange, Mazvita Zambuko

Zimbabwe came within a whisker of a consolation in the final ODI in Chittagong, but three sixes in three balls by Naeem Islam, off the bowling of Chamu Chibhabha, ensured a win for the home side that was, if we're to be honest, probably deserved.

Batting first after being put in by Bangladesh, Zimbabwe would have repeated their dismal performance of the 4th ODI were it not for the hard work of one Brendan Taylor, who was one of only two batsmen to show some backbone as he put on an impressive 118 not-out from 125 balls. Next best was Elton Chigumbura's 38, and after that it was woeful all the way - no-one else passed 13 as Zimbabwe meekly finished their innings on 221/9. Hardly anything to write home about, but enough at least to give Zimbabwe's bowlers at target they could work with. Three of Bangladesh's bowlers took three wickets apiece, led by Shakib Al Hasan's 3/29.

For most of the Bangaldesh innings, it looked as though that 221 would be enough, too - Zimbabwe were able to take regular wickets and kept the run-rate below the required target for almost the whole innings, and when three wickets fell in quick succession in the 42nd and 43rd overs to leave Bangladesh on 179/8, it looked as though Zimbabwe had the game in the bag. Then came those three sixes, in the 48th over, and suddenly Zimbabwe were staring down the barrel as Bangladesh were left needing just 5 runs from 12 balls to win. It was only a matter of time, and Bangladeshi hero Islam (73*) knocked of the winning run at the end of the 49th over to secure the win. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 221/9 (50 overs; Taylor 118*, Shakib Al Hasan 3/29), Bangladesh 222/9 (49 overs; Naeem Islam 73*, Matsikenyeri 2/25). Bangladesh win by 1 wicket.

I'm not even going to dignify this one with a match report. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 44 (24.5 overs; Waller 13, Shakib Al Hasan 3/8), Bangladesh 49/4 (11.5 overs; Tamim Iqbal 22, Price 2/5). Bangladesh win by 6 wickets.