Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
THE newly built Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is set to host its first competitive cricket match next month when Tuskers take on defending champions Southern Rocks in the Pro50 Championship.
The Bulawayo-based Tuskers are scheduled to face Rocks at the new facility on November 20, with the two sides meeting again at the same venue on November 22 in a double-header that will mark a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The matches will provide an early opportunity to stage competitive domestic cricket at the stadium, which is being developed to host next year’s global showpiece.
Victoria Falls is one of Zimbabwe’s three host cities for the World Cup, alongside Harare and Bulawayo. The new stadium is scheduled to host Zimbabwe’s group-stage match against India on October 24, 2027, as well as three Super Seven fixtures.
The venue’s development represents a major investment in Zimbabwean cricket, bringing the game to one of the country’s leading tourism destinations and expanding the country’s capacity to host international fixtures.
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni recently said the main building works at the stadium were substantially complete, with finishing work continuing ahead of the venue’s first trial match.
Facilities including the media centre, broadcast centre, changing rooms, medical facility, grandstands and grass banks were also substantially complete, according to an update released by the International Cricket Council on October 19. Roofing, bucket-seat installation and other finishing work were still under way.
The scheduled Pro50 fixtures will therefore be an important step towards assessing the new ground’s playing facilities and match-day operations before it welcomes international teams and supporters for the World Cup.
For Tuskers, the assignment will offer a chance to be part of the stadium’s early history, while Southern Rocks will be looking to continue their title defence at a venue expected to take centre stage in Zimbabwean cricket next year.
The two matches will also place the new facility in the domestic cricket calendar as the country works towards completing preparations for the 2027 tournament.
