BCCI confirms Zimbabwe tour, team selection on July 29
The BCCI has confirmed India’s tour of Zimbabwe that starts on July 10. India will play three ODIs and two T20 internationals during the tour with Harare hosting all the matches. The cricket board has called the selection committee meeting in Delhi on Monday to pick the squads. The committee will also select the India ‘A’ team for the home tri-series involving Australia ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’, to be played in Chennai and Wayanad from July 19.
The tour to Zimbabwe had been under serious threat with Ten Sports holding the broadcasting rights for Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC). BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, however, informed this paper yesterday the two boards have since made progress and a final decision would be taken after another round of discussions on Saturday.
ZC chairman Wilson Manase and chief executive officer Wilfred Mukondiwa had several interactions with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur on the sidelines of the ICC Annual Conference in Barbados and eventually managed to break the ice.
“There had been issues, but Zimbabwe Cricket badly wanted this tour and we also want to play cricket,” a senior cricket board official said.
With the top stars asking for a break, a young team is likely to tour Zimbabwe. The hosts, on the other hand, are sweating over Vusimuzi Sibanda’s fitness. Sibanda sustained a right ankle injury a few days ago during practice.
Tour Itinerary: 1st ODI at Harare, July 10; 2nd ODI at Harare, July 12; 3rd ODI at Harare, July 14; 1st T20I at Harare, July 17; 2nd T20I at Harare, July 19
