Online Reporter
A new stadium in Victoria Falls opening up for cricket for the very first time in Zimbabwe and two big guns facing the Chevrons in one of the groups for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
This, in many ways, will be a massive period for Zimbabwe who are co-hosts of the World Cup along with South Africa and Namibia.
The Chevrons were drawn into the same group as India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and another opponent to come from the qualifiers.
Unlike the India side that came for T20s recently in Harare, for the ODI and most importantly the World Cup, India will come at full strength, including Virat Kohli.
Australia, who recently also beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in an ODI series, will also come guns blazing.
This calls for Zimbabwe Cricket to dig deep to try and make an impression when the Chevrons play in front of their home fans.
To Zimbabwe’s credit they boast one of the world’s best all-rounders in Sikandar Raza and a top bowler in Blessing Muzarabani.
The likes of Brad Evans and Brian Bennett have also shown they can rise to the occasion but reality is every Chevron has to be at the very top level to be able to compete.
Apart from the performance of the Chevrons, this is an occasion that will demand more from ZC and the country in terms of complementing the local organising committee.
The country will not remain the same after the World Cup.
The preparations are underway, and Zimbabwe are leaving nothing to chance.
This week the Chevrons troop back into camp with head coach Justin Sammons looking to fine-tune his charges ahead of their packed programme against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the United Arab Emir-ates later this month. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will play hosts Afghanistan across all three formats with the entire programme slated for October 17 to November 17.
The three nations play One Day Internationals (ODI) tri-series, slated for October 17-23, while Zimbabwe and Afghanistan meet in a three-match T20 series scheduled for October 27 to November 1.
All this leaves Zimbabwe in a better place ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The WC campaign will also include England’s return to Zimbabwe for the first time in more than two decades, even though the two nations have been drawn in opposing groups for next year’s tournament in Southern Africa.
England were drawn to face Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Group B, alongside an as-yet-undetermined qualifier, whom they are due to face in Harare on October 20, 2027, in their fourth match of the tournament.
England resumed bilateral relations with Zimbabwe last year, when they played a one-off Test at Trent Bridge in May 2025 – their first such fixture for 22 years. However, they have not faced each other in Zimbabwe since an ODI tour in November and December 2004.
That tour followed a stand-off during the 2003 World Cup, the last to be staged in Southern Africa.
England opted not to travel to the country for their group-stage match with the tournament co-hosts.
That decision caused the match to be forfeited in Zimbabwe’s favour, which in turn contributed to Zimbabwe’s progression to the Super Six stage at England’s expense. The teams have only met once in sub-sequent ICC events, at the inaugural World T20 in September 2007, when England won by 50 runs in Cape Town.
However, as last year’s Test demonstrates, relations have since improved between the two boards.
England’s potential return to Zimbabwe has been discussed ahead of the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2027 to 2031, which is due to be ratified next month.
England also played in Zimbabwe throughout the Under-19 World Cup in February this year, including the final against the eventual champions, India.
The 2027 World Cup draw ensured that England will avoid both India, the tournament favourites, and Australia, the defending champions, at least until the Super 7 phase.
The identity of their Harare opponents will be confirmed at the World Cup Qualifiers, which are due to take place in South Africa and Namibia in February and March next year. — Zimpapers Sports Hub/ Cricinfo.com
