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On Friday, January 3, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) announced that they are set to host Ireland for an all-format tour in men’s cricket in February 2025 just over a year after playing versus them at home during a limited-overs tour. The tour will consist of seven matches, including a one-off Test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, followed by three ODIs and three T20Is at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
Notably, the Ireland tour of Zimbabwe consisted of two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is as per the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), but now, there will be only one Test match between the two nations. In his statement to the media, Givemore Makoni, the managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket was buoyed about the commitment of the governing body towards their players after securing two full tours in one season.
Zimbabwe are currently in ascendancy in second Test vs Afghanistan in Bulawayo
Currently, Zimbabwe are playing Afghanistan in the second Test of the two-match series after the first game ended in a draw, while they lost the T20I series 1-2(3) and ODI series 0-2(3). After the first two days in the second Test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Afghanistan reached 46/3 in their second innings, trailing by 40 runs after being bundled out for 157 runs in their first innings, and in response, Zimbabwe scored 243 runs.
Meanwhile, Givemore Makoni was quoted as saying about securing Ireland for an all-format tour to Zimbabwe, as per ESPNcricinfo, “We are delighted to welcome Ireland for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tour. Hosting two full tours in quick succession is a testament to our commitment to providing our players with regular international cricket and to our efforts in growing the game in Zimbabwe.”
During their Test history, Zimbabwe have played a Test match only once against Ireland, losing by four wickets in Belfast, while they also lost to them at home in T20I series 1-2(3) and ODI series 0-2(3) over a year or so ago.
