ASHLEY DUBE
HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced a historic festive season of cricket, with the country set to host its first Boxing Day Test in 28 years and its first ever New Year's Test against Afghanistan. Both Test matches will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, marking a significant piece of history for Zimbabwean cricket.
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| Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have played two Tests against each other before, both in Abu Dhabi in 2021 [Image: Abu Dhabi Cricket/ESPNCricInfo] |
These matches are part of a full tour by Afghanistan, which also includes a limited-overs series.
The action begins with three T20 Internationals in Harare at Harare Sports Club on December 9, 11, and 12, followed by three ODIs at the same venue on December 15, 17, and 19.
The Test series will then shift to Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first match scheduled for December 26-30 and the second for January 2-6.
Zimbabwe's only previous Boxing Day Test was a rain-affected draw against England in 1996 at Harare Sports Club.
Since then, Zimbabwe's only other Boxing Day Test appearances have been away from home, against New Zealand in Wellington in 2000 and against South Africa in the inaugural pink-ball Test in Port Elizabeth in 2017.
The team also played a Test match against Sri Lanka starting on December 27, 2001, in Colombo.
This will be Zimbabwe's first ever New Year's Test, marking a historic occasion for the team and the nation.
Speaking on the upcoming schedule, ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani remarked that this is a welcome opportunity to celebrate the "finest traditions" in cricket.
"Boxing Day and New Year's Test matches are iconic cricket fixtures that we are delighted to be adding to our calendar this festive season and we are looking forward to celebrating in style one of the finest traditions in the sport's long history," Mukuhlani said in a statement.
"Before the Test series, scheduled for Bulawayo, we will start off with some T20I and ODI action in Harare to complete a full tour, a clear demonstration of our commitment to improve our game across all formats.
"Matches between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are always intense and exciting affairs and we have no doubt the players will once again serve up some great entertainment befitting such an historic tour."
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