Lahore: Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed its participation in an upcoming T20I tri-series in Pakistan, alongside the host nation and Sri Lanka. The series, set to take place from November 17 to November 29, will serve as a preparatory event for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The tri-series marks the first of its kind on Pakistani soil, with matches held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The series will kick off with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi on November 17. Following this opener, Zimbabwe will take on Sri Lanka at the same venue on November 19.
The competition will then move to Lahore, where Gaddafi Stadium will host the remaining five matches, concluding with the final on November 29. The series aims to provide all participating teams with crucial match practice ahead of the global tournament.
Notably, Afghanistan, initially expected to participate, has declined the invitation, citing prior commitments. This development has left Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe as the three competing teams in the series.
The full schedule of matches includes Pakistan versus Sri Lanka on November 22, Pakistan against Zimbabwe on November 23, Sri Lanka facing Zimbabwe on November 25, and another encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on November 27, leading up to the final showdown in Lahore.