By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe’s demanding international cricket schedule will continue into October and November after Afghanistan confirmed a multi-format programme featuring the Chevrons and Bangladesh in the United Arab Emirates.
Zimbabwe will first take part in a three-team One-Day International series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh before remaining in the UAE for three T20 Internationals and two Test matches against Afghanistan.
The latest announcement adds to an already packed year for Zimbabwe, who have hosted Bangladesh and India in multi-format and T20I series respectively and have just completed a T20 tri-series involving South Africa and Namibia.
Before travelling to the UAE, Zimbabwe will host Australia for a three-match ODI series at Harare Sports Club from September 15 to 20.
Zimbabwe open their UAE campaign against Bangladesh on October 17 before facing Afghanistan two days later.
Afghanistan and Bangladesh meet on October 21, with the top two teams progressing to the final on October 23.
The Chevrons will then turn their attention to Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series scheduled for October 27, October 29 and November 1.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will complete the programme with two Test matches, running from November 5-9 and November 13-17.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said venues for the matches in the UAE would be announced later.
Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said the programme would provide important competitive opportunities across different formats.
“Playing against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities,” Khan said.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni welcomed the confirmation of the extensive programme.
“This is an important tour for Zimbabwe, offering our players high-quality competition across all three formats,” he said.
“The ODI tri-series will test us against two strong sides, while the two Tests are especially valuable as we continue seeking more regular opportunities in the longest format.
“We sincerely appreciate the Afghanistan Cricket Board for hosting this programme and the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their cooperation. “We look forward to a competitive and exciting tour.”
For Zimbabwe, the schedule represents another intense period of international cricket in a year in which the team has faced a steady stream of high-profile opposition.
The Chevrons recently competed in the T20 tri-series in Namibia against South Africa and the hosts, reaching the final before losing to South Africa despite Brad Evans scoring his maiden T20I half-century.
Their immediate focus will now shift to Australia, with the three ODIs against the five-time world champions scheduled for September 15, 18 and 20 at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe will then have less than a month before beginning another demanding assignment in the UAE.
Zimbabwe’s upcoming international schedule
Australia ODI series – Harare Sports Club
September 15: 1st ODI
September 18: 2nd ODI
September 20: 3rd ODI
UAE ODI Tri-Series
October 17: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh
October 19: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan
October 23: Final
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe T20I series
October 27: 1st T20I
October 29: 2nd T20I
November 1: 3rd T20I
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe Test series
November 5-9: 1st Test
November 13-17: 2nd Test
Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said the programme would provide important competitive opportunities across different formats.
“Playing against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities,” Khan said.
For Zimbabwe, the schedule represents another intense period of international cricket in a year in which the team has faced a steady stream of high-profile opposition.
The Chevrons recently competed in the T20 tri-series in Namibia against South Africa and the hosts, reaching the final before losing to South Africa despite Brad Evans scoring his maiden T20I half-century.
Their immediate focus will now shift to Australia, with the three ODIs against the five-time world champions scheduled for September 15, 18 and 20 at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe will then have less than a month before beginning another demanding assignment in the UAE.
Zimbabwe’s upcoming international schedule
Australia ODI series – Harare Sports Club
September 15: 1st ODI
September 18: 2nd ODI
September 20: 3rd ODI
UAE ODI Tri-Series
October 17: Zimbabwe v Bangladesh
October 19: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan
October 23: Final
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe T20I series
October 27: 1st T20I
October 29: 2nd T20I
November 1: 3rd T20I
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe Test series
November 5-9: 1st Test
November 13-17: 2nd Test