Zimbabwe’s white-ball tour to Ireland gets postponed, likely in August-September

Zimbabwe was all set to tour Ireland for a white-ball series which was scheduled to kick off on August 06. However, the tour has got postponed in the latest turn of events owing to concerns regarding COVID-19. The tour could now be played in August-September as Zimbabwe Cricket is seeking clearance from the government.

The tour was proposed with having three ODIs and five T20Is wherein the opening ODI was set to be staged in Belfast. As the COVID-19 protocols are facing some complications, the tour is likely to happen in the later parts of August and September.

Belfast was set as the venue for three ODIs and last three T20Is whereas the first two T20Is were set to see the light of the day at Bready. ZC has now set August 19 as new departure date for their tour but it still depends on a nod from government.

“We recognise that with Zimbabwe being on the UK Red List, but a Category 2 country in the Republic of Ireland classification, approval for the series was always conditional upon the evolving advice of government. It is now anticipated that the series will be held in August-September 2021, but that some venue changes may be required to accommodate the latest advice received,” said Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom in a release last month.

Talking about earlier this year, Ireland’s white-ball tour to Zimbabwe was postponed amid COVID-19 issues. However, ZC later went on to clarify that tour postponed due to a squeeze on the schedule and there were no concerns regarding COVID-19.