As Zimbabwe gets ready to play Bangladesh in the second Test match, which is set to begin in Chattogram on April 28, Ben Curran has warned his teammates to avoid complacency.
On the fourth day of the first Test in Sylhet, Zimbabwe chased down 174, their highest successful run chase in Test cricket, and defeated Bangladesh by three wickets in an exciting finish.
The victory was Zimbabwe’s fourth foreign Test success, having also defeated Bangladesh at the same location in 2018. It was their first Test victory since 2021.
“We are expecting Bangladesh to come really hard at us. We are not expecting this to be an easy game. We have to work hard for every moment. We can hopefully put in a similar performance to last game,” Curran told reporters at Sylhet on Saturday.
“We are delighted to win the game. It is my first Test win. It is a great feeling having put in a lot of hard work leading into the series. Obviously the series is not done. There’s a big game to come in the next few days.”
Curran acknowledged that the Zimbabweans now feel very confident after the Test victory and thought the team was playing well as a whole.
“The boys are confident. We will keep doing our processes right. Conditions will be different here from Sylhet. We have to adapt to that as quickly as possible. Each game brings different challenges, so we look forward to it,” he added.
“Winning Tests always gives guys confidence. Everyone is going to take different learning from the win in Sylhet. As long as we are prepared to move forward as individuals, we are in a good place,” he said.
Curran, who made his debut against Afghanistan in 2024 and has since played four Test matches and six ODIs for Zimbabwe, noted that the seasoned team of Craig Ervine and Sean Williams has assisted him in adjusting to the demands of playing international cricket.
“I am relatively new in international cricket so I am like a sponge trying to learn as much as I can from Sean (Williams) and Craig (Ervine). It will help my development. I will be silly if I didn’t try to tap into their experience. I try to learn as much as I can from them (Williams and Ervine) and its vital for my growth,” he said.
Curran, who was born and raised in Zimbabwe before relocating to England and then returning to Zimbabwe, stated that it is a great honor for him to represent his native nation.
“I grew up in Zimbabwe. Circumstances took me to England. I played there for a few years and then I returned to play for Zimbabwe. It is a great honour and privilege. I am really enjoying my cricket at the minute,” he said.
Curran went on to say that even though he lives distant from his brothers, Tom and Sam Curran, who are well-known in the cricket community in England, he occasionally heeds their advise.
“I speak to them on most days, especially during a game. I just check in with them. We are a very close-knit family. I will see them soon. We will look back at this with fond memories. For now, I am trying to enjoy playing for Zimbabwe,” he added.
