Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni has hailed the upcoming international fixtures against South Africa and New Zealand as a historic moment for the game.
The matches announced yesterday run between June and August, featuring high-stakes Test matches and an electrifying T20 International (T20I) tri-nation series.
The highly anticipated tours will begin with Zimbabwe taking on South Africa in a gripping two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
“This is the biggest international home season we have had in years, and it is an incredible opportunity for our players to test themselves against two of the world’s cricketing powerhouses,” said Makoni. The highly anticipated tours will begin with Zimbabwe taking on South Africa in a gripping two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The first Test is scheduled for 28 June-2 July, with the second following from 6-10 July.
After the red-ball battles, Zimbabwe and South Africa will shift their focus to the shortest format, heading to Harare Sports Club to meet New Zealand in a T20I tri-series that promises explosive action.
The T20I tri-series will begin on 14 July with Zimbabwe facing South Africa and two days later, on 16 July, South Africa will take on New Zealand.
On 18 July, Zimbabwe will meet New Zealand, before playing South Africa again on 20 July.
South Africa and New Zealand will face off once more on 22 July, while Zimbabwe will close their group-stage campaign against New Zealand on 24 July.
The tournament will conclude with the final on 26 July, where the top two teams will battle for the title.
All T20I matches will commence at 1300 hours local time.
Makoni said the matches will go a long way in inspiring the development of cricket in the country.
“Hosting South Africa and New Zealand for both Test cricket and an exciting T20I tri-series is a fantastic development for the growth of the game in Zimbabwe.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the teams and putting on a great spectacle for our passionate cricket fans.”
Zimbabwe last hosted a T20I tri-nation series in July 2018, featuring Australia and Pakistan, with Pakistan emerging victorious.
Following the T20I spectacle, New Zealand will remain in Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series against the hosts at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The first Test is slated for 30 July-3 August, with the second taking place from 7-11 August.
The last Test encounter between Zimbabwe and New Zealand dates back to July-August 2016, when New Zealand secured a 2-0 series win in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and South Africa have not met in Test cricket since their Boxing Day pink-ball Test in Gqeberha in 2017, a match 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 secured a nine-wicket victory in Harare.
