Alistair Campbell, Zimbabwe Cricket’s Chairman, confirmed that India will be touring Zimbabwe from July 7 to July 20. During this period, the teams will be playing 3 One Day Internationals and 2 T20 matches.
The cricket board confirmed via Twitter that India will arrive on July 7th. The final schedule of the tour should be confirmed shortly.
“I can confirm that it’s now a done deal. India are arriving on July 7 and will leave on the 20th (and will play) 3 ODIs and 2 T20s,” Campbell said. “The schedule for the matches is almost done and should be released later this week. However, all the matches will be played in Harare.”
Campbell also expressed joy at the prospect of hosting New Zealand barely a week after the India series. The Black Caps are scheduled to play three play three ODIs and a solitary T20I. Pakistan are then expected to reciprocate Zimbabwe’s gesture of playing the historic series in Pakistan earlier this year.
“I can confirm that it’s now a done deal.India are arriving on July 7 & will leave on the 20th,3 ODIs & 2 T20s”AC pic.twitter.com/0OSO8rjfj0
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 10, 2015
“The schedule for the matches is almost done & should be released later this week.However, all the matches will be played in Harare” AC
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 10, 2015
“We are very pleased that @BCCI are coming & the fact that the @BLACKCAPS are coming just a week after India’s departure”AC
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 10, 2015
“We are very pleased that India are coming and the fact that New Zealand are coming just a week after India’s departure,” Campbell told NewsDay Sport. “There’s also Pakistan who are coming in August as part of the benefits for our tour there recently and there is another tour by West Indies in the pipeline.”
Head Coach of Zimbabwe, Dav Whatmore too expressed his delight at the prospect of a hectic winter of ODI cricket that should boost Zimbabwe’s bid to return to the top-8 in the ODI rankings. This would enable them to avoid going through a qualifying tournament for the prospective 10-team 50-over World Cup.
“The only way we can improve is by competition,” Whatmore said. “I am pleased that we have a good number of matches lined up, just like any full member. Next up is India and we will be looking to continue improving.”
India last toured the African nation back in 2013 and played 5 ODIs. India was captained by Virat Kohli as Mahendra Singh Dhoni was rested for the series. The Men in Blue did a fine job by clinching the series 5-0.
Now the interesting thing is to see whether India sends a full strength squad or rests a few of the players, keeping in mind the future schedules of the team.