Zim to Host South Africa and New Zealand for Tests and T20I Tri-Series

Witness Runodada- Zim Now Reporter 

Zimbabwe Cricket is set to host South Africa and New Zealand in an action-packed international season running from June to August. The highly anticipated series will feature thrilling Test matches and a T20 International tri-nation tournament, marking Zimbabwe’s biggest home season in years.

The cricket spectacle will kick off with a two-match Test series between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The first Test is scheduled for 28 June to 2 July, with the second match set for 6-10 July. These encounters will be the first time the two sides have faced off in the longest format since their last meeting in a pink-ball Test in Gqeberha in 2017.

After the Test battles, Zimbabwe and South Africa will shift focus to the fast-paced T20 format at Harare Sports Club for a highly anticipated tri-nation series featuring New Zealand. The tournament will begin on 14 July, with Zimbabwe taking on South Africa in the opening fixture. On 16 July, South Africa will face New Zealand, followed by a clash between Zimbabwe and New Zealand on 18 July.

The group stage will continue with Zimbabwe playing South Africa again on 20 July, while South Africa and New Zealand will meet on 22 July. Zimbabwe will wrap up their group-stage campaign against New Zealand on 24 July. The top two teams will then face off in the final on 26 July. All T20I matches will begin at 1300 hours local time, promising an electrifying cricketing experience for fans.

Once the T20I excitement concludes, New Zealand will remain in Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series against the hosts at Queens Sports Club. The first Test will take place from 30 July to 3 August, and the second will follow from 7-11 August. This will be the first Test series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand since 2016, when the Black Caps secured a 2-0 victory in Bulawayo.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni described the upcoming season as a historic moment for Zimbabwean cricket, emphasizing the significance of hosting two powerhouse teams. He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity Zimbabwe’s players will have to test themselves at the highest level.

“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,” Makoni said. “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-series in July 2018, featuring Australia and Pakistan, with Pakistan emerging as the winners. The last time South Africa played Test cricket in Zimbabwe was in August 2014, when they secured a nine-wicket victory in Harare.

Zimbabwe to Host South Africa and New Zealand for Tests and T20I Tri-Series

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is set to host South Africa and New Zealand in an action-packed international season running from June to August. The highly anticipated series will feature thrilling Test matches and a T20 International (T20I) tri-nation tournament, marking Zimbabwe’s biggest home season in years.

The cricket spectacle will kick off with a two-match Test series between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The first Test is scheduled for 28 June to 2 July, with the second match set for 6-10 July. These encounters will be the first time the two sides have faced off in the longest format since their last meeting in a pink-ball Test in Gqeberha in 2017.

After the Test battles, Zimbabwe and South Africa will shift focus to the fast-paced T20 format at Harare Sports Club for a highly anticipated tri-nation series featuring New Zealand. The tournament will begin on 14 July, with Zimbabwe taking on South Africa in the opening fixture. On 16 July, South Africa will face New Zealand, followed by a clash between Zimbabwe and New Zealand on 18 July.

The group stage will continue with Zimbabwe playing South Africa again on 20 July, while South Africa and New Zealand will meet on 22 July. Zimbabwe will wrap up their group-stage campaign against New Zealand on 24 July. The top two teams will then face off in the final on 26 July. All T20I matches will begin at 1300 hours local time, promising an electrifying cricketing experience for fans.

Once the T20I excitement concludes, New Zealand will remain in Zimbabwe for a two-match Test series against the hosts at Queens Sports Club. The first Test will take place from 30 July to 3 August, and the second will follow from 7-11 August. This will be the first Test series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand since 2016, when the Black Caps secured a 2-0 victory in Bulawayo.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni described the upcoming season as a historic moment for Zimbabwean cricket, emphasizing the significance of hosting two powerhouse teams. He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity Zimbabwe’s players will have to test themselves at the highest level.

“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,” Makoni said. “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-series in July 2018, featuring Australia and Pakistan, with Pakistan emerging as the winners. The last time South Africa played Test cricket in Zimbabwe was in August 2014, when they secured a nine-wicket victory in Harare.

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