Zimbabwe cricket backtracks on Bulawayo Test

Raymond Jaravaza

JUST when cricket lovers in the City of Kings were whetting their appetites for the return of the game in the city, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has reversed its earlier decision to host the Zimbabwe versus Bangladesh Test match in Bulawayo.

Bulawayo had been pencilled to host Bangladesh at the Queens Sports Club in a Test match from 7 to 11 July.

The government then banned all sports activities to prevent the spread of a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that threatens to engulf the country.

But authorities recently gave the green light for popular sports codes such as football, cricket and rugby to resume training and games.

Under a ‘new’ schedule released by ZC, the Bangladesh tour, that includes one Test match, a three-match one-day international (ODI) series and three Twenty20 international (T20I) games will now be played in Harare.

No explanation was given why the Test match was moved from Bulawayo.

“All the matches between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will be played behind closed doors at Harare Sports Club, with no spectators allowed in the ground as part of the pandemic protocols that ZC has put in place at its facilities.

“The tour will begin with the Test match scheduled for 7-11 July.

“Next up will be the ODI series pencilled in for 16, 18 and 20 July – those matches are part of the Super League that is serving as the main route for qualification for the 2023 edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.

“After the Super League clash, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh will then face off in three T20I matches set for 23, 25 and 27 July,” stated ZC on its official website.

FIXTURES: ZIMBABWE VS BANGLADESH – JULY 2021

 

DATES                                   MATCH                                 VENUE                                  START TIME

 

7-11 July 2021                 Only Test                             Harare Sports Club           0930 hours

 

16 July 2021                       1st ODI                                 Harare Sports Club           0930 hours

 

18 July 2021                        2nd ODI                                Harare Sports Club           0930 hours

 

20 July 2021                        3rd ODI                                Harare Sports Club           0930 hours

 

23 July 2021                        1st T20I                                 Harare Sports Club           1230 hours

 

25 July 2021                        2nd T20I                               Harare Sports Club           1230 hours

 

27 July 2021                        3rd T20I                                Harare Sports Club           1230 hours

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