Zimbabwe to become first Test-nation to host Afghanistan

Zimbabwe Cricket team

Zimbabwe are set to become the first Test-nation to host Afghanistan in a bilateral One Day International series when the two teams meet each other next month, with the first ODI starting on July 18 at the Queens Sports club, Bulawayo.

Ahead of the first one-day fixture, Afghanistan will play two warm-up matches on July 13 and 15 at Bulawayo. The second, third and fourth ODIs are scheduled to take place on July 20, 22 and 24, respectively, all at the same venue. The 28-day tour will be complete with 2 four-day matches played between the two teams: July 27-30 and August 2-5, both at Harare.

Having been a part of World Cup T20 and Asia Cup tournaments earlier this year, Afghanistan have been in the ascendancy in the international circuit. Not to forget their remarkable feat of gaining a 50-over World Cup berth, courtesy of being the runners-up in the 2013 World Cricket League Championship. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are facing an existential crisis, with their country in a state of depression not helping them, either.

This series is one of the only 3 that Zimbabwe will host this year. The other two being a bilateral series against South Africa in the month of August, which includes 3 ODIs and a Test match, and a tri-series involving Australia.