Despite the suspension of sporting activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe's Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) gave its permission for the tour to go ahead.[8] In June 2021, the tour itinerary was confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket,[9] with all the matches being played in a bio-secure environment at the Harare Sports Club behind closed doors.[10]
The Bangladesh cricket team arrived in Zimbabwe on 30 June 2021,[11] following a twelve-team T20 tournament in Bangladesh.[12] During the one-off Test match, Bangladesh's Mahmudullah announced his retirement from Test cricket.[13] Bangladesh went on to win the Test match by 220 runs.[14] Bangladesh won the first ODI by 155 runs,[15] and the second match by three wickets, to win the series with a match to spare.[16] Bangladesh won the third ODI by five wickets to win the series 3–0.[17]
On 19 July 2021, both cricket boards agreed to a minor reschedule of the T20I fixtures.[18] The end date of the tour was brought forward by two days, due to "scheduling and logistical challenges".[19]
The first T20I match of the series was also the 100th T20I to be played by Bangladesh.[20] With their eight-wicket victory, they became the third team, after Australia and Pakistan, to win their 100th match in all three formats of international cricket.[21] Zimbabwe won the second T20I match by 23 runs to level the series with one match to play.[22] Bangladesh won the third T20I match by five wickets to take the series 2–1.[23]
Three days after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had named the squads for the tour, Mahmudullah was added to Bangladesh's Test squad.[30] Initially, Mahmudullah had not been included in the Test squad after not being able to bowl due to an injury.[31] After initially opting out of the T20I matches,[32] Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim made himself available for the fixtures.[33] However, he later pulled out of the ODI and T20I squads due to family reasons.[34]Tamim Iqbal was ruled out of Bangladesh's T20I squad due to a knee injury.[35]
Sean Williams was initially named as Zimbabwe's captain for the one-off Test.[36] However, Williams and Craig Ervine both had to go into self-isolation, after being in close-contact with an individual who was COVID-19 positive.[37] As a result, Brendan Taylor was named as Zimbabwe's captain for the match.[38] Taylor was also named as captain of Zimbabwe's ODI team, with Williams and Ervine continuing to isolate.[39] Brendan Taylor was rested for the T20I fixtures with Sikandar Raza named as Zimbabwe's captain for the matches.[40]
