Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu said his side were upbeat about their return to Test cricket as they prepared to meet Bangladesh in the first of a two-match series starting on Thursday.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe's Test programme in June for fielding a severely weakened team after a dispute between their board and several leading white players.

"It is motivating as we are playing Test cricket again," said Taibu ahead of the match in Chittagong. "I am sure that the boys are dreaming to perform at the highest level."

Taibu said despite their enforced absence he was sure his young team would handle the pressure of the Test environment.

"There was always pressure in the cricket ground, as a bowler, as a batsman, as a fielder. The matter is how you handle the pressure that really counts."

The wicketkeeper said his side would probably head into the series as underdogs, but only because Bangladesh are more used to the conditions.

"Obviously they have the advantage to play at home. They play on this wicket more often than we do. That's a little advantage but we can't really look at that."

Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar said his side were also looking forward to the series as it probably gives them their best opportunity to win their first Test match.

Bangladesh have lost 31 of their 34 Test matches with three draws. Two of those draws have been against Zimbabwe.

"This is the first time we are expecting to win a Test match. We did not start any series with victory in mind," said Bashar. "We are not taking them lightly. We will take them as (seriously as) we take Australia, India and Pakistan."

Bashar added that a surprise victory over India in a one-day match last month had boosted his team's morale.

"The level of confidence goes high when you win against a big team."