Afghanistan tour of Zim confirmed

ZIMBABWEAN cricketers will finally get the much needed game time after Afghanistan confirmed their tour of Zimbabwe where they will play five One Day Internationals in April.

United Arab Emirates, who denied the Chevrons a ticket to this year’s Cricket World Cup in England could also be heading to Zimbabwe in April as well with the tour still to be officially agreed upon between the respective boards.

Zimbabwe Cricket acting managing director, Givemore Makoni on Friday said that all matters pertaining to Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe have been finalised, with the Asians to play five One Day Internationals at Harare Sports Club on 18, 20, 23, 25 and 29 April.

“The Afghanistan tour has been confirmed, they will play five ODIs at Harare Sports Club. We are waiting to confirm the UAE tour,’’ Makoni said.

ZC and their ACB counterparts are sharing expenses for the Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe. Due to ZC’s financial state of affairs, the International Cricket Council had advised the local cricket governing body that Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe be pushed to next year. This is because such tours do not generate any financial revenue for ZC and actually result in losses.

With Afghanistan gearing up for the Cricket World Cup which starts on 30 May, the Asians requested to tour Zimbabwe.

It is envisaged that UAE’s visit to Zimbabwe will serve as a warm up for the Chevrons as they brace for Afghanistan. If the UAE tour goes ahead, they will play four ODIs in Harare on 7, 9, 11 and 13 April.

UAE shocked a packed Harare Sports Club on 22 March last year when they defeated the Chevrons by three runs through the Duckworth Lewis method, a result which means Zimbabwe will not be at the World Cup having been at previous editions since 1983.

Zimbabwe last played international cricket in November last year when they took on Bangladesh in the Asian country.

@Mdawini_29