Zimbabwe is set to host India for a five-match T20I series in July, just a week following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.
All five matches are scheduled to take place in Harare from July 6 to 14. Four of the T20Is will be day games, commencing at 1 pm local time. The third T20I, the sole night fixture, is set to commence at 6 pm.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting India for a T20I series in July in what will be our biggest international attraction at home this year," Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said in a press release. "The significance and magnitude of this tour cannot be over-emphasised, especially as it is coming at a time we are working round the clock to re-establish ourselves as a force to reckon with at the highest level of the game."
India last visited Zimbabwe for three ODIs in August 2022, emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline. Subsequently, the teams faced each other only once across various formats during the T20 World Cup in Australia later that year.
In total, the two teams have contested eight T20 Internationals, with India triumphing in six of those encounters.
"The BCCI has always played a pioneering role in contributing to the global cricketing community. We understand that it is a period of rebuilding for Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Cricket needs our support at this juncture," Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said.
Zimbabwe could not qualify for this year's T20 World Cup even though as many as 20 teams will participate for the first time in the tournament. Before that, they had failed to make the cut for the 2023 ODI World Cup as well.
Fixtures
July 6: 1st T20I
July 7: 2nd T20I
July 10: 3rd T20I
July 13: 4th T20I
July 14: 5th T20I
The series has been added ahead of India's tour of Sri Lanka, which is expected to take place later that month, where the two teams are lined up to play three ODIs and three T20Is.
This may now likely get pushed back to August as the widow is vacant before India host Bangladesh for a two-Test and three T20I tour at home. The following month in October, New Zealand are scheduled to come to India for a three-Test series before the Men in Blue gear up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
