Zimbabwe to welcome New Zealand and South Africa for Test and T20I tri-series from June

Synopsis

Zimbabwe is preparing to host South Africa and New Zealand for a two-Test match series and a T20I tri-series from June to August. The exciting home season will start with a Test series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, featuring multiple matches and a final showdown between the top teams.

Key Takeaways

Zimbabwe will host South Africa and New Zealand for a series of matches.
The Test series kicks off on June 28.
A T20I tri-series will take place from July 14 to July 26.
Finals for the tri-series will feature the top two teams.
Exciting prospects for Zimbabwean cricket development.

New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) Zimbabwe is gearing up to welcome South Africa and New Zealand for a series of two Tests and a T20I tri-series, scheduled between June and August, as announced by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Thursday. The eagerly awaited home season will kick off with Zimbabwe hosting South Africa for a two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The initial Test is planned from June 28 to July 2, followed by the second Test from July 6 to July 10. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the T20I tri-series, with New Zealand joining Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Harare Sports Club.

The T20I series will commence on July 14, with Zimbabwe facing South Africa, and South Africa will take on New Zealand two days later. On July 18, Zimbabwe will compete against New Zealand, followed by another match against South Africa on July 20. The clash between South Africa and New Zealand will occur on July 22, while Zimbabwe will conclude their group stage against New Zealand on July 24.

The tri-series final is set for July 26 and will feature the top two teams. Post the T20I series, New Zealand will stay in Zimbabwe for another two-Test series, also at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first Test scheduled from July 30 to August 3 and the second from August 7 to August 11.

“This is the largest international home season we’ve experienced in recent years, providing our players a remarkable chance to challenge themselves against two of the leading cricketing nations,” remarked Givemore Makoni, ZC Managing Director.

“Hosting South Africa and New Zealand for both Test matches and an exciting T20I tri-series represents an outstanding opportunity for the development of cricket in Zimbabwe. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the teams and providing an exceptional experience for our devoted cricket fans,” he added.

Zimbabwe has not faced South Africa in Test cricket since the Boxing Day pink-ball Test in Gqeberha in 2017, which South Africa won by an innings and 120 runs. The last time South Africa played Test cricket in Zimbabwe was in August 2014, when they achieved a nine-wicket victory in Harare.

The most recent Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand occurred in July-August 2016, where New Zealand secured a 2-0 series victory in Bulawayo. Additionally, Zimbabwe last hosted a T20I tri-nation series in July 2018, involving Australia and Pakistan, with Pakistan emerging as the winner.