HARARE, Zimbabwe — The Afghanistan cricket team has begun preparations for its T20 series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to commence this Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club.
Last month, Zimbabwe Cricket revised the series schedule, shifting key matches to weekends in a bid to draw larger crowds and enhance the atmosphere, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced.
The adjustments affect both the Twenty20 International (T20I) and One-Day International (ODI) formats. The T20I series, initially set for December 9, 11, and 12, will now begin on Wednesday, December 11. The second and third matches are slated for Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14.
Similarly, the ODI series has been rescheduled. The first match will now take place on Tuesday, December 17, followed by games on Thursday, December 19, and Saturday, December 21. These matches were originally planned for December 15, 17, and 19.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni emphasized that the scheduling changes were aimed at increasing fan engagement. “The move is part of our efforts to create a vibrant atmosphere at the Harare Sports Club, and we believe the weekend fixtures will allow more fans to attend and support the teams,” he said.
Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe, confirmed by the ICC on October 29, features matches across all three formats of the game. While the two teams are evenly matched in Test cricket—each having secured one win in their two encounters—Afghanistan holds a dominant record in limited-overs formats. The team has won 18 of 28 ODIs and boasts an impressive 14-1 record in T20Is against Zimbabwe.
