Back to the city of memories

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful is set to return to Zimbabwe with the national team for the first time in 13 years, revisiting a country that holds special significance in his cricketing journey, reports BSS.
Ashraful, who recently joined Bangladesh's coaching staff as batting coach, departed with the team for the upcoming multi-format tour of Zimbabwe.
The visit marks his first overseas assignment since taking up coaching duties with the national side.
The 41-year-old has spent the past seven months working with the Bangladesh team during home assignments. The Zimbabwe tour will be his first opportunity to accompany the side abroad in a coaching role.
"After 13 years, I am travelling to Zimbabwe with the Bangladesh national team. I have worked with the team on home assignments over the past seven months, and this is my first overseas tour as a coach," Ashraful said before leaving Dhaka.
Zimbabwe occupies a unique place in Ashraful's career. He made his international debut against the African nation in Bulawayo in 2001 and also played the final international series of his career there in 2013.
"Many memories were created there. My international cricket journey began in Zimbabwe against Zimbabwe, and my last international series as a player was also in Zimbabwe. After so many years, I am returning again, but this time as the batting coach of the Bangladesh team," he said.
Ashraful represented Bangladesh for more than a decade before his international career came to an abrupt end in 2013. After serving a suspension and returning to domestic cricket, he has gradually transitioned into coaching.
Bangladesh are set to play a full series in Zimbabwe for the first time in four years. The tour comprises a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.
The Test match will begin on June 28, while the T20I series will be played in Bulawayo, the same city where Ashraful's international career began 25 years ago.