PCB Likely to Host Zimbabwe for One-Off Test Match in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD” According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in currently in discussions with Zimbabwe Cricket Board to arrange a Test match in Rawalpindi, after the conclusion of the ongoing Tri-Series and the upcoming Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final.

Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka are currently involved in the ongoing Tri-Series being hosted in Rawalpindi. The tournament, which started on November 18, will run until November 29.

At the moment, Pakistan has remained undefeated throughout the Tri-Series tournament and will play the final. Zimbabwe is ahead of Sri Lanka in the second spot due to their overall net-run-rate.

However, if Sri Lanka can beat Pakistan convincingly in their final match, they will play the tournament final against Pakistan on November 29 at the Rawalpindi Stadium.

Meanwhile, the domestic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final will be played between Karachi Blues and Sialkot Region in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The final of Pakistan’s premier red-ball domestic tournament will commence on 1 December and will reach it’s conclusion by 4 December.

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If the ongoing talks between the two boards reach an agreement, then the two teams will play a solitary Test match in Rawalpindi early next month.

The likely one-off Test match will not be part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle as Zimbabwe is not among the top-ranked nations competing in the tournament.

Fans are speculating whether big players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, or Shaheen Afridi will be selected for the proposed Test match against Zimbabwe or will the PCB call-up youngsters to get some much-needed experience at the international level.