Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced free admission for fans to the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The free entry applies to the two-Test series against Afghanistan. The series begins with the Boxing Day match on Thursday.
ZC explained that this decision is part of its efforts to celebrate the country's first Boxing Day Test at home in 28 years. The Boxing Day Test will be followed by Zimbabwe’s inaugural New Year’s Test, scheduled for January 2-6, 2025.
“This is an extraordinary milestone for Zimbabwe Cricket and our fans. By offering free entry, we want to share this historic occasion with as many cricket lovers as possible, creating an electric atmosphere to inspire our players and celebrate the spirit of the game,” said Givemore Makoni, ZC Managing Director.
The last Boxing Day Test Zimbabwe hosted was in 1996 against England at Harare Sports Club. That match ended in a rain-affected draw.
Since then, Zimbabwe has played Boxing Day Test matches only abroad. These include matches against New Zealand in 2000 and South Africa in 2017. The South Africa match was a pink-ball day-night fixture in Port Elizabeth.
Zimbabwe has added fast bowler Victor Nyauchi to the squad. He replaces Takudzwa Chataira, who sustained a right-side strain during practice.
Chataira was one of the seven uncapped players initially chosen for the series. Nyauchi has played nine Test matches and taken 20 wickets. His experience will bolster Zimbabwe's bowling attack.
Thursday’s match is Zimbabwe’s second Test of 2024. There is a chance of rain on all five days of the match. Zimbabwe played a one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast in July, losing by four wickets.
Zimbabwe recently lost both a T20I and ODI series against Afghanistan. The T20I series ended 2-1 in Afghanistan's favor, while the ODI series resulted in a 2-0 victory for the visitors.
Zimbabwe's Test squad includes: Craig Ervine (captain), Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams.
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