Bangladesh have set out on their first full tour as a Test playing nation. The 15-man squad, captained by Naimur Rahman, and coached by former Australian player, Trevor Chappell, will contest three one-day internationals followed by two Tests against Zimbabwe.

Naimur Rahman was in confident mood: "I think the players are in good form. We are looking forward to a good series," he said shortly before departure.

He acknowledged that Zimbabwe will be favourites for the series: "They are outstanding fielders and we all know it," he said. "Their batting department is also strong. We hope that we will not dishearten our countrymen's expectations."

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, declared that the squad (containing eight specialist batsmen, five bowlers and two all-rounders) was fully fit and well balanced in terms of experience and ability.

The squad includes two newcomers, opening batsman Mohammed Ashraful and seamer Mohammed Sharif.

Full squad: Naimur Rahman (captain), Khaled Masood (wk/vice-captain), Javed Omar, Mehrab Hossain, Mohammed Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Al-Shahriar, Mohammed Rafique, Enamul Hoque, Hasibul Hossain, Monjurul Islam, Mohammed Sharif and Mushfiqur Rahman. Officials: Mahabubul Anam (manager), Trevor Chappell (coach) and John Gloster (physiotherapist).

© CricInfo Ltd.