India to tour Zimbabwe for ODI, Twenty20 series in July

Virat Kohli

Harare: Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday said India have agreed to tour Zimbabwe for a limited overs series featuring three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 Internationals.

"I can confirm that it's now a done deal. India are arriving on July 7 and will leave on the 20th, 3 ODIs and 2 T20s," the chairman of the Zimbabwe Cricket Committee, Alistair Campbell, said on Twitter. The BCCI is yet to issue a statement regarding the tour.

Virat Kohli. Pic/ AFP

"The schedule for the matches is almost done and should be released later this week. However, all the matches will be played in Harare," he added.

India are currently touring Bangaldesh for a series comprising one Test and three ODIs. They also have a series against Sri Lanka and South Africa later this year.

India last toured Zimbabwe in 2013 under Virat Kohli's captaincy when they swept the five-match ODI series 5-0.

Zimbabwe recently toured Pakistan, playing three ODIS and two T20s and becoming the first Test side to visit Pakistan since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009.

The India series will be Zimbabwe's first international assignment since their Pakistan tour.

Campbell also said New Zealand would arrive a week after India's departure for three ODIs and a lone T20 followed by Pakistan's tour.

"We are very pleased that India are coming and the fact that New Zealand are coming just a week after India's departure," Campbell said.

"Pakistan are coming in August as part of the benefits for our tour there recently, and there is another tour by West Indies."

Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore was happy that his team would get the opportunity to play more competitive cricket.

"The only way we can improve is by competition," Whatmore was quoted as saying by newsday.co.zw.

"I am pleased that we have a good number of matches lined up, just like any full member. Next up is India and we will be looking to continue improving."