By Tendai Chisiri
HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket has brought in former South African first-class cricketer Quinton Friend as a consultant bowling coach to assist the senior men’s national team ahead of its home Test and limited-overs series against Bangladesh next month.
Friend is currently working with the squad at a training camp underway in Harare, operating under the guidance of Head Coach Justin Sammons as preparations ramp up for the international assignments starting in June.
A robust right-arm fast-medium bowler during his playing days, Friend enjoyed a 16-year first-class career before moving into coaching. He currently serves as head coach of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins franchise in South Africa.
ZC said Friend’s appointment is aimed at strengthening the team’s bowling unit ahead of the home series against Bangladesh.
The eagerly awaited tour will get underway with a five-day Test match at Harare Sports Club from 28 June to 2 July.
The two teams will remain in Harare for the ODI series, with matches scheduled for 6, 9 and 11 July at the same venue.
The tour will then move to Bulawayo, where Queens Sports Club will host the T20I series on 15, 17 and 19 July.
The two sides last met in a two-match Test series in Bangladesh last year, which ended one-all after Zimbabwe secured a memorable three-wicket victory in the opening Test – their first win in the format in four years.
Bangladesh’s previous tour of Zimbabwe took place in July and August 2022, when the hosts delivered impressive performances to win both the T20I and ODI series 2-1 at Harare Sports Club.
The forthcoming series will mark Zimbabwe’s first home assignment of the year and their first international action since their historic campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
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