CHENGETAI NYAMUSHONYONGORA
HARARE – Zimbabwe Cricket is set to host its biggest international home season in years, with South Africa and New Zealand heading to Zimbabwe for a jam-packed multi-format series. The schedule includes two-Test series against both touring teams and a T20I tri-series sandwiched in between, promising a much-needed return to high-profile cricket in the country.
While the return of major cricketing nations is an exciting prospect for Zimbabwean fans, it’s important to acknowledge the driving force behind these tours: ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). The FTP mandates that full members play each other at home and away within a ten-year cycle. South Africa’s last tour of Zimbabwe was back in 2014, while New Zealand has not visited since 2016—meaning both nations were due for a visit under ICC obligations rather than voluntarily choosing Zimbabwe as a destination.
Regardless of the circumstances, this is a golden opportunity for Zimbabwe to test itself against top-tier opposition. The home season kicks off with two Test matches against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The first Test begins on 28 June 2025, followed by the second on 6 July 2025. It will be Zimbabwe’s first red-ball encounter with the Proteas since 2014 and their first time hosting them in the format in a decade.
The action then shifts to the shortest format as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand lock horns in a T20I tri-series in Harare from 14 July 2025. Each team plays the others twice, with the top two sides advancing to the final on 26 July 2025. The tri-series provides Zimbabwe with a chance to measure itself in white-ball cricket, especially given the team’s inconsistent performances in recent years.
After the T20I leg, Zimbabwe will return to Test cricket, hosting New Zealand for a two-match series in Bulawayo. This will mark their first meeting in the longest format since 2016. The first Test starts on 30 July 2025, with the second from 7 August 2025, concluding what is being predicted as a landmark season for Zimbabwean cricket.
South Africa enters the series as one of the world’s top Test-playing nations, currently ranked second in the format. They are ranked fifth in ODIs and sixth in T20Is, highlighting their strong cricketing pedigree across all formats. Meanwhile, New Zealand has been in excellent form, despite falling short in the final of the recently held ICC Champions Trophy against India. The Kiwis lost the match but demonstrated their class earlier in the tournament, notably defeating South Africa by 50 runs on their way to the final.
In a must-win affair, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson came up clutch, both scoring impressive hundreds at faster than a run-a-ball. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips fired in the middle order to help New Zealand to an imposing 362/6 from their 50 overs.
South Africa’s top order was unable to emulate the efforts of their Kiwi counterparts, as spinners Mitchell Santner, Ravindra, and Phillips all produced with the ball, which bodes well for their chances on the Dubai deck in Sunday’s Final.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni has labeled this the most significant home season in years, and he is not wrong. The return of South Africa and New Zealand offers a crucial opportunity for Zimbabwe’s younger players to make a statement. The likes of Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tony Munyonga, Jonathan Campbell, Dion Myers, Nick Welch, Ben Curran, and Vincent Masekesa will be eager to prove they belong on this stage.
Yet, Zimbabwe’s challenges remain evident. Since gaining Test status in 1992, they have won just 13 out of 116 matches, with a win percentage of 15%—the second lowest among full ICC members. The last time Zimbabwe won a home Test was over a decade ago, making their upcoming encounters against South Africa and New Zealand an uphill battle.
Zimbabwe’s recent performances in white-ball cricket do not inspire much confidence either. Under Coach Justin Summons, the team has shown flashes of potential but has struggled for consistency. Batting collapses have been a recurring issue, as seen in their recent series against Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Ireland. The T20I tri-series will test their ability to compete against higher-ranked opposition, something they have struggled to do in the past.
While this home season is a step in the right direction, it does not necessarily indicate that Zimbabwe is becoming a go-to cricketing destination. These tours are happening primarily because of ICC’s scheduling requirements. If Zimbabwe fails to put up a competitive showing, it may struggle to attract high-profile series beyond the FTP obligations. On the flip side, if they manage to challenge South Africa and New Zealand—especially in the longer format—it could open doors for more voluntary tours in the future.
For Zimbabwean cricket fans, this is a rare chance to witness their team go head-to-head with two of the game’s powerhouses. While expectations should be measured, the hope will be that Zimbabwe can use this season as a stepping-stone towards long-term progress. The challenge now is to make the most of this opportunity and prove that they can still hold their own at the highest level.
This article was first published on The Soak Bench.
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