Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Zimbabwe international and now national team assistant coach Dion Ebrahim believes the coming T20I Tri-Nation Tournament in Pakistan arrives at the perfect moment for the Chevrons as they shape their path toward next year’s T20 World Cup.
The team landed in Pakistan yesterday after a long haul through Dubai, with Pakistan Cricket Board officials providing strong security assurances following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad. The revised schedule now keeps the entire series in Rawalpindi, and Zimbabwe will take the field against Pakistan in Tuesday’s opener before meeting Sri Lanka two days later.
Ebrahim said this tour carries major value for a side that missed the last two editions of the World Cup.
“It’s of huge significance; this tour provides meaningful match time and information gathering in sub-continent conditions, the conditions which we will encounter in the 2026 World Cup.
“Added to that, we get to play two very different, balanced teams which will test the dynamic nature of all our skill sets,” he said.
Zimbabwe travelled with a group that has played plenty of cricket this year, from series against Ireland and Namibia to challenging assignments against New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. They also hosted the 10-team ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in Harare. Ebrahim said this volume of cricket has sharpened the group’s awareness of where they need to improve.
“The amount of cricket the team has played has given us a baseline of where the top nations are currently performing at and what gaps we need to identify and fill,” he said.
“Every tour provides different challenges. So, whilst you can play and prepare locally, until you play Pakistan in Pakistan, you can only prepare subjectively.
“We have confidence coming off some brilliant team and individual performances, and now we need to continue building on this.”
He also pointed to the long-standing challenge of touring sub-continent conditions, especially against high-level spin.
“The subcontinent is a tough place for any team to tour. You just need to look at the statistics. That being said, the playing of spin has been a key area of improvement we are focusing on. Are we ready? Yes. We are planning to expand our skill sets in these conditions,” he said.
The only major setback is the continued absence of fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, ruled out of the tour with a back injury after missing the last two T20Is against Afghanistan.
“His absence is naturally a huge factor. But at this stage, we are very optimistic of him being available for the T20 World Cup,” said Ebrahim.
The PCB confirmed that all seven matches of the tri-series will now be staged at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket and Zimbabwe Cricket.
“The decision to revise the schedule was made in consultation with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), following mutual discussions to accommodate operational and match requirements,” said the PCB.
Each team will play four matches, with the top two advancing to the final on November 29. The series is expected to provide important game time, tactical testing and exposure to World Cup-style conditions for all three sides.
