Zimbabwe is set to host Afghanistan for a historic all-format tour, featuring the country’s first Boxing Day Test in 28 years and its inaugural New Year’s Test. Both matches will be played in Bulawayo.
The tour will commence with three T20Is in Harare from December 9-12, followed by three ODIs from December 15-19. The teams will then travel to Bulawayo for the two-Test series.
Zimbabwe’s only previous Boxing Day Test was in 1996 against England in Harare, which ended in a draw due to rain. The country has also participated in Boxing Day Tests in Wellington (2000) and Port Elizabeth (2017).
Zimbabwe Cricket chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani expressed excitement about the upcoming tour, stating, “Boxing Day and New Year’s Test matches are iconic cricket fixtures that we are delighted to be adding to our calendar this festive season.”
Afghanistan Cricket Board counterpart Mirwais Ashraf added, “The all-format tour to Zimbabwe is a significant event for us. We have a rich history with Zimbabwe, and playing there has always been challenging.”
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have faced off in two Test matches, 28 ODIs, and 15 T20Is, with each team claiming one victory in the Test series held in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
The tour promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the talents of both teams across all formats of the game.