DUBAI — The Zimbabwe cricket team is in line to play 17 Test matches over five years under the new Future Tours Programmes (FTP), which is in the process of being finalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sports Reporter/Cricinfo
The next cycle, which runs from 2019 to 2023, sees Ireland and Afghanistan included as new Test-playing nations after the historic decision to grant them Test status was made last summer.
The new calendar is due to get a final approval at the ICC annual conference in June 2018.
Ireland and Afghanistan, along with Zimbabwe, are not part of the Test Championship league, which will commence immediately after the 2019 World Cup.
Nonetheless, the new FTP allows both to cut their teeth in Test cricket, albeit at a slower pace compared to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe — the last three entrants into the longer format. In their first five years, Bangladesh played 40 Tests while Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe played 24 Tests each.
Zimbabwe, who are preparing for a historic four-day day/night Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth starting on Boxing Day, are scheduled to play 17 Tests in the four-year cycle.
Out of the 17, Zimbabwe, will play Bangladesh in six Tests followed by four each against Ireland and Afghanistan, two against Sri Lanka and one against West Indies.
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Playing fewer Tests and focusing on limited-overs cricket is now part of Zimbabwe Cricket’s restructuring plans. Compared to 17 Tests (12 at home, Zimbabwe will play 40 ODIs and 31 T20s during the next FTP.
Ireland’s roster is somewhat richer in comparison to Afghanistan’s in that they play half of the top-nine countries. Ireland are scheduled to play a one-off Test against Australia (2019), Sri Lanka (2020), England (2021) and then host New Zealand and South Africa in 2022. In addition, Ireland will face Afghanistan (five Tests), Zimbabwe (four Tests) and Bangladesh (two Tests).
Both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will play nearly equal number of Tests at home and away. Ireland will play seven home Tests and nine away while Afghanistan seven at home and six away.
Presently, Australia are the only upper-tier country to play against Afghanistan in the new FTP. Both countries will play a one-off Test in 2020 and 2022. Afghanistan’s other opponents will be: Ireland (five Tests), Zimbabwe (four Tests), Bangladesh (two Test) and West Indies (One Test).
