Zimbabwe Cricket have received government permission for a six-match limited overs tour of Pakistan in October-November, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The teams will play three One-Day Internationals between October 30 and November 3, and another three Twenty20 International fixtures that are pencilled certain Nov 7-10.
The ODI series are going to be a part of the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
It is also an extra boost for Pakistan cricket, who recently welcomed back visitors after Sri Lanka and Bangladesh toured the country last December and January.
According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the 50-over matches are going to be played in Multan, while Rawalpindi will host the three T20Is. The matches are going to be played behind closed doors thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced the Super League to "provide context to ODI cricket" and can function a qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with the highest seven sides automatically booking their berth within the India event. Featuring 13 teams, the 12 Test playing countries and therefore the Netherlands, the Super League will see all sides play four home and 4 away three-match series, the PCB said.
PCB's Director (International Cricket) Zakir Khan said the confirmation of the series schedule against Zimbabwe "after having successfully hosted Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, also as Marylebone Cricket Club and HBL Pakistan Super League V, within the 2019-20 season not only strengthens Pakistan’s reputation as a secure and secure country but also a healthy one after having successfully overcome the Covid-19 pandemic".
“This series is critical to Pakistan because it aspires to qualify directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and, as such, every point within the Super League will count," he was quoted as saying.
Khan said the Zimbabwe matches had been strategically scheduled in Multan and Rawalpindi, the venues which will host the National T20 Cup from September 30 to October 18.
"By the time Zimbabwe arrives, we might have gained enough experience on bio-securing hotels, player transportation, the venues and therefore the players’ dressing rooms," he said, adding that the series are going to be held under "strict Covid-19 protocols" to make sure the health and safety of all participants.
Zimbabwe's 32-member squad will undergo two Covid-19 tests within an area of 48 hours before their departure in Harare, while the second tests are going to be conducted as soon as they land in Islamabad.
Players and support staff testing negative in Islamabad are going to be eligible to resume training at a venue, which the PCB said it'll confirm "in due course".
According to the handout, players and support personnel testing positive for the virus during the tour will need to observe a five-day self-isolation and can only be allowed to re-integrate with the side after two negative tests.
Series schedule
Oct 20 – Zimbabwe arrival in Islamabad
Oct 30 – 1st ODI, Multan
Nov 1– 2nd ODI, Multan
Nov 3 – 3rd ODI, Multan
Nov 7 – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
Nov 8 – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
Nov 10 – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
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