Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe has been confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket and will feature two Tests against the hosts and a tri-series also featuring the West Indies.
The tour was in some doubt as a result of Zimbabwe Cricket’s growing debt and the financial situation of the country as a whole as well as Harare based players refusing to play over a payment dispute. However, after some assurances by the Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Wildfred Mukondiwa the strike was called off and the tour given the green light subsequently.
The tour was initially expected to consist of two Tests, three ODIs and a T20I, before Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to include the triangular ODI series featuring Sri Lanka and West Indies.
The teams have not faced each other in Tests since a two Test series back in 2004 with Sri Lanka winning both games by an innings margin. Overall, the teams have played 15 Tests against each other, with Sri Lanka having won 10 while 5 have ended in draws.
The Sri Lankan team is set to arrive in Zimbabwe on the 25th of October with the 1st Test scheduled to begin on 29th and the 2nd Test of the 6th of November. The tri-series will begin on the 14th of November. All games will be played in Harare and Bulawayo.
Caribbean islanders are expected to come to Harare soon after their ongoing tour in Dubai where they will play three Twenty-20 internationals, the same number of 50-overs matches and a three-match Test series against Pakistan until November 3.