After showing some good and fighting performances in the limited-over international cricket in the recent times, Zimbabwe has now lined-up some serious Test matches in the ongoing year.
After the completion of the upcoming limited-over home series against India (3 ODIs and 3 T20Is) in June, Zimbabwe is expected to host several Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in July and August.
Zimbabwe had played their last Test match in November 2014 against Bangladesh. According to Standardsport, Zimbabwe Cricket’s (ZC) chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has confirmed that Zimbabwe will be making a return to Test cricket after one year. Mukuhlani said, “We will definitely play more Test cricket this year. We simply can’t afford not to.
“We have New Zealand coming sometime in July for a tour which will include two Tests, while the visit by Sri Lanka will also include Test cricket as well. We are just finalising the schedule and it will be released soon.”
After regaining their Test status in 2011, Zimbabwe has already played 14 Tests out of which 6 Tests have been against Bangladesh. Zimbabwe played their other 8 Tests against Pakistan (3 Tests), West Indies (2 Tests), New Zealand (2 Tests) and South Africa (only Test). Out of these 8 Test matches against the top nations, Zimbabwe achieved only one victory against Pakistan while they suffered defeat in their all other 7 Tests.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe won 2 Tests against Bangladesh while they lost 4 Tests against the Asian team.
The Zimbabwean chairman added that they are also talking with BCB to play a Test series at home or away in near future.
Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, a tour to Bangladesh scheduled for a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe was scrapped by the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) due to focus on the T20I cricket for the preparation of WT20 2016.
Mukuhlani stated, “We are still in discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board because if you remember, we were supposed to play two Tests against them last year, but we had to set them aside in favour of T20s to give the team’s ample time to prepare for the World Twenty20 competition in India. So they owe us two Test matches and what is left is just to decide if we will play them here or away in Bangladesh.”
Along with the Test cricket, Zimbabwe will continue to concentrate on ODI cricket to ensure their spot among the top eight ranked international teams which allow them to direct qualify in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and avoid playing the qualifying round.