Zimbabwe confirmed its participation as Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the itinerary of the tri-nation T20 series, involving Afghanistan, reports BSS.
This will be Zimbabwe’s first assignment since the ICC suspended them last month. They will arrive in the capital on September 8.
The tri-series which was part of BCB’s schedule for the 2019-20 season, was in limbo following ICC’s suspension on the Southern African nation. The BCB however waited till Wednesday for confirmation from Zimbabwe Cricket.
Zimbabwe requested BCB to include them in the series for their preparation for the World T20 qualifiers later this year. However on Tuesday ICC confirmed that Zimbabwe was removed from the qualifying tournament.
Bangladesh’s home season will open with their maiden Test against Afghanistan, in Chattogram from September 5-9, before they play the tri- series from September 13 to 24.
The double-league phase will be played in Dhaka and Chattogram, with the final to be held in Dhaka on September 24.
“The tri-series was in our plan and that’s why we waited for Zimbabwe to materialize it. ICC will have no obligation in Zimbabwe’s participation here because they clearly stated that Zimbabwe is allowed to play against member boards,” said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury.
“Zimbabwe’s match will get International status also,” he confirmed.
However Afghanistan which will arrive in Bangladesh on august 30 will play a two-day practice game at MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram against BCB XI from September 1-2 before their maiden Test against the Tigers.
The first three matches of the seven-match tri-series will be held at Sher-e-Bangla stadium with Bangladesh taking on Zimbabwe in the opening match while the next three matches at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
After that, the top two teams will lock horns in the final at Sher-e- Bangla national cricket stadium again.
Before the tournament proper, Zimbabwe will play a T20 practice game against BCB XI at Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah, on September 11.
Meanwhile, the BCB is working on the additional one or two ODIs
against
Zimbabwe, following the T20I tri-series. These matches, or a single ODI, are likely to be Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s farewell from international cricket as BCB wants to give him a befitting farewell.
Itinerary:
Only Test: September 5-9: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan.
Tri-series: September 13: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, September 14: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, September 15: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, September 18: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe, September 20: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, September 21: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan and September 24: Final.