Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed they would host Zimbabwe for a series of three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s starting next month.
The PCB made the announcement confirming the Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan on Wednesday 23 September.
Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan confirmed
According to a press release from the PCB the Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan will take place under “bio-secure” conditions to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Earlier this year, England became the first country to hold international cricket matches since the pandemic set in, when they staged a full summer of cricket. The England Cricket Board hosted the West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia between July and September.
During those series in England, players underwent regular tests and were not allowed to leave the so-called ‘bubble’ of the stadium and their hotel. The ECB were greatly aided by the fact that both the Rose Bowl in Southampton and Old Trafford sport hotel facilities attached to the cricket grounds.
Learning from England
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it has consulted with the ECB on virus safeguards and will be putting some of those measures in place for their National T20 event which starts 30 September and will feature Pakistan’s top players.
By the time Zimbabwe arrive 20 October the governing body hope to “have gained enough experience on bio-securing arrangements,” said Zakir Khan, the PCB’s director of international cricket.
Zimbabwe are set to take a 32-man playing squad along for the tour to cater for both formats as well as for the intra-squad warm-up matches.
Following ten days in quarantine, Zimbabwe are scheduled to play the first ODI against Pakistan in Multan on 30 October. All matches will be played in stadiums closed to the general public.
The remaining two ODIs will also be played in Multan on 1 and 3 November.
The three Twenty20 Internationals are scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi on 7, 8 and 10 November.
Pakistan has seen a decline in news cases of the virus in recent months, and almost all government lockdown measures have now been lifted.
Zimbabwe tour to Pakistan – Series schedule
20 October – Zimbabwe arrival in Islamabad
October 30 – 1st ODI, Multan
November 1 – 2nd ODI, Multan
3 November – 3rd ODI, Multan
4 November – Travel to Islamabad
November 7 – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
November 8 – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
November 10 – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
11 November – Zimbabwe departure for Harare
Dates are subject to change, start times are yet to be confirmed.
