Zimbabwe Cricket announces historic Test match return after 28 years

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced the complete schedule for the all-format home series against Afghanistan. While Zimbabwe will host a two-match Test series, the first one will be a historic Test, which is returning to the country after 28 years.  

Afghanistan will tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series, and another two-match Test series. As they are not in the ICC World Test Championship, it is not a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship.

Zimbabwe will host Boxing Day and New Year Tests

Zimbabwe is ready to host a Boxing Day Test. It will be their second Boxing Day Test hosting. Zimbabwe’s first Boxing Day hosting was in 1996 when they hosted England at Harare. That rain-hit Test ended with a draw result.

Apart from hosting one Boxing Day Test, Zimbabwe experienced the Boxing Day Tests in 2000 (against New Zealand at Wellington) and 2017 (against South Africa at Port Elizabeth) as the visitors. 

After hosting the Boxing Day Test, Zimbabwe will also host Afghanistan in the New Year Test, starting on January 2, 2025. In Zimbabwe's cricket history, it will be the earliest of any calendar year to start a Test match. 

Already met in two Tests

Harare will host all six white-ball matches against Afghanistan. After the white-ball series, Bulawayo will host both the Test matches. 

They have already met in two Tests, which Abu Dhabi hosted in March 2021. After Zimbabwe won the first Test by 10 wickets, Afghanistan won the second Test by six wickets.

Complete international cricket schedule for Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan

December 9, 2024: 1st T20I at Harare

December 11, 2024: 2nd T20I at Harare

December 12, 2024: 3rd T20I at Harare

December 15, 2024: 1st ODI at Harare

December 17,. 2024: 2nd ODI at Harare

December 19, 2024: 3rd ODI at Harare

December 26-30, 2024: 1st Test at Bulawayo

January 2-6, 2025: 2nd Test at Bulawayo