It has been a dreadful year for Bangladesh on the international stage, winning just twice and failing to trouble decent opposition.
A three-Test series at home to Zimbabwe pits the two lowest ranked five-day teams in the world against one another.
Bangladesh's year has included a two-wicket loss to Hong Kong on home soil at the World Twenty20.
Under pressure to perform, their more experienced players will be relied upon to lead them to victory.
Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal need to step up and at least put up a decent fight in Dhaka.
Zimbabwe's preparation included a drawn three-day tour match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah.
Most of their batsmen got some time at the crease, with Craig Ervine's unbeaten 85 in the second innings the highlight.
Sikandar Raza made two good contributions at number three with scores of 44 and 45, while leg-spinner Natsai M'shangwe took four wickets.
Zimbabwe enter the first Test as favourites thanks to Bangladesh's form, but the hungry hosts could make it difficult.