After six years, India comes to Zimbabwe

Fungai Muderere

DAYS after accounting for Bangladesh, Zimbabwe senior men’s cricket side continued with their busy schedule on Thursday, a day they engaged India in One Day Internationals (ODIs) that are set to end on 22 August.

India, who have not toured Zimbabwe since 2016, are set to face Zimbabwe in three ODIs with  the second match set for Saturday in Harare.

The series is part of the ICC ODI Super League that serves to identify the seven direct qualifiers, along with the hosts, for next year’s 50-over World Cup in India. Zimbabwe are placed 12th in the 13-team pool, with just three wins in 15 matches. The ODI series will finish less than a week before the 2022 Asia Cup, which is set to be played between 27 August and 11 September in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With their place at this year’s T20 World Cup sealed, Zimbabwe will also have an opportunity to acclimatise to Australian conditions when they tour the country for three ODIs in Townsville on August 28, 31 and September 3.

Aside from the 2015 World Cup, Zimbabwe have not toured Australia since 2003-2004, while the two teams last met in ODIs during a tri-series in 2014.

Bangladesh played Zimbabwe in three T20Is from 30 July to 2 August before the two sides faced off in three ODIs on 5, 7 and 10 August 5, 7. All matches were staged in Harare.

A young India squad, led by Shikhar Dhawan, was recently in the Caribbean for a three-match ODI series that were followed by five T20Is that finished on 7 August in Florida.

Zimbabwe are bubbling with so much confidence after they secured their spot at the 2022 T20 World Cup by winning the eight-team qualifying tournament in Bulawayo. They  beat Netherlands in the final by 37 runs with man of the moment Sikandar Raza returning 4 for 8.

Sikandar Raza

Regis Chakabva will once again captain Zimbabwe in the ODI, the Kjara Cup. Chakabva stood in as captain in two matches in the just ended three match ODI contest against Bangladesh which Zimbabwe won 2-1. The wicketkeeper was asked to captain Chevrons after regular skipper Craig Ervine pulled out of the series because of a left hamstring tear.

With Ervine still injured Chakabva will lead the team against much tougher opponents.

Zimbabwe will also be without Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Wellington Masakadza who are recuperating from thigh muscle tear, collarbone fracture and shoulder tendon injuries respectively. Veteran Sean Williams who was reportedly granted permission by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) to attend to some personal matters is also missing from the squad of 17 players announced by ZC.

Zimbabwe vs India 2022

1st ODI – August 18, Harare

2nd ODI – August 20, Harare

3rd ODI – August 22, Harare

Australia vs Zimbabwe 2022

1st ODI – August 28, Townsville

2nd ODI – August 31, Townsville

3rd ODI – September 3, Townsville

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