Zimbabwe to host SL for multi-format white-ball tour in late August

Zimbabwe's bumper summer will include a multi-format white-ball series against Sri Lanka between August 29 and September 7. The tour includes two ODIs - as opposed to the three ODIs originally scheduled on the FTP - alongside three T20Is. All five matches will be held at Harare Sports Club.

The series forms part of a busy period for Zimbabwe. They play South Africa in two Tests in Bulawayo starting this weekend. After that comes the T20I tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand and finally take on New Zealand in two Tests starting August 3.

The fixtures against Sri Lanka precede the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Qualifiers, which will be hosted in Zimbabwe from September 19 to October 4. Zimbabwe did not qualify for the last T20 World Cup but played at the 2022 edition. They are also slotted to host Afghanistan for an all-format tour later this year.

Sri Lanka were last in Zimbabwe in 2023, for the ODI World Cup Qualifiers, but have not played a bilateral series in Zimbabwe since 2016. They are currently hosting Bangladesh for an all-format tour of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.

"We are delighted to confirm Sri Lanka's visit to Zimbabwe for what we expect to be a thrilling and competitive series," Givemore Makoni, Zimbabwe Cricket's MD said in a statement. "Matches between our two nations have always produced entertaining cricket and this tour comes at a crucial time for our team as we prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying campaign."