Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe are set for a demanding international cricket programme in the United Arab Emirates after Afghanistan confirmed an action-packed schedule involving the Chevrons and Bangladesh in October and November.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Tuesday that the programme will feature an ODI tri-nation series, three T20 Internationals and a two-Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
The schedule will begin with a one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh from October 9 to 13, before Zimbabwe join the two sides for the ODI tri-series.
The tri-series will run from October 17 to 23, with each team playing the other once before the top two sides meet in the final.
Zimbabwe will open their campaign against Bangladesh on October 17, before facing Afghanistan two days later on October 19. Afghanistan and Bangladesh will then meet in the final league match on October 21, with the final scheduled for October 23.
The Chevrons will then remain in the UAE for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
The matches are scheduled for October 27, October 29 and November 1, giving Zimbabwe an opportunity to test their white-ball preparations against an Afghanistan side that has developed into a formidable force in international cricket.
The programme will conclude with a two-Test series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
The first Test is scheduled for November 5-9, while the second will be played from November 13-17.
The back-to-back Tests will provide both sides with an important opportunity to strengthen their red-ball credentials after a demanding limited-overs programme.
For Zimbabwe, the extended assignment represents a rare opportunity to play international cricket across all three formats against two competitive Asian sides.
The ODI tri-series will also provide the Chevrons with valuable competitive preparation, while the T20I and Test series against Afghanistan will allow Zimbabwe to assess their squad across contrasting conditions and formats.
The matches will be played in the UAE because Afghanistan continues to stage its home international fixtures at neutral venues. The arrangement allows the Afghanistan Cricket Board to maintain an international home programme while providing Zimbabwe and Bangladesh with a concentrated block of competitive cricket.
ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said the schedule would provide Afghanistan with valuable opportunities to compete against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats while strengthening cricketing ties between the three countries.
The Zimbabwe-Afghanistan fixtures will be particularly significant in the longer format, with the two teams set to play two Tests after the T20I series.
The packed calendar means Zimbabwe could potentially play eight matches during the UAE programme — three ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests — depending on their progress in the tri-series.
The assignment is therefore likely to be a major test of Zimbabwe’s squad depth, fitness and ability to switch rapidly between the demands of ODI, T20I and Test cricket.
Zimbabwe’s UAE schedule
- October 17: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe — ODI tri-series
- October 19: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — ODI tri-series
- October 23: ODI tri-series final
- October 27: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 1st T20I
- October 29: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 2nd T20I
- November 1: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 3rd T20I
- November 5-9: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 1st Test
- November 13-17: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 2nd Test
The schedule gives Zimbabwe a substantial block of international cricket ahead of the next phase of the international calendar and could prove crucial in shaping the side’s preparations across all three formats.
