News / National
Zimbabwe want to host England in Victoria Falls
26 May 2025 at 08:38hrs | Views
England could make a long-awaited return to Zimbabwean soil for the first time in more than two decades, with early discussions underway between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) for a potential tour in the 2027–2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle.
Sources confirmed to BBC Sport that while discussions remain in their infancy, both sides are "very optimistic" that a tour agreement can be reached, signaling a thaw in sporting relations that were severed amid political tensions in 2008.
The proposed matches are likely to be played at the new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, a 10,000-seater venue currently under construction near Victoria Falls. The stadium is being developed by ZC with financial backing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) at an estimated cost of £4 million to £8 million. It is also expected to host matches during the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
The scenic location near one of the world's natural wonders, combined with safari tourism potential, is expected to make the stadium a compelling draw for cricket fans and travelling supporters.
The breakthrough in talks comes during Zimbabwe's ongoing tour of England, where they are playing a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge. ZC officials have used the opportunity to engage with ECB counterparts and rebuild bridges that were long burnt due to political instability during the rule of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
As part of the renewed engagement, ECB chief executive Richard Gould recently visited Zimbabwe as part of an ICC board meeting, which included a trip to the Victoria Falls stadium construction site.
Although specific details of the proposed tour - including formats and number of matches - are yet to be confirmed, a white-ball bilateral series appears most likely. However, the idea of a one-off Test has also been floated, especially as a possible warm-up to a more extensive tour of neighboring South Africa, potentially increasing its appeal to England's travelling fanbase.
Zimbabwe has not hosted England since a four-match ODI series in 2004, which marked the last engagement before diplomatic tensions halted cricketing ties. That visit followed England's high-profile boycott of a 2003 World Cup match in Harare, and culminated in the UK government's 2008 decision to sever all bilateral cricketing relations.
Zimbabwe also withdrew from the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup in England amid mounting political pressure.
While the road to restoration has been long, cricketing diplomacy appears to be paying dividends, with both nations inching closer to resuming bilateral ties. Should the tour materialise, it would mark a symbolic and strategic milestone for Zimbabwe's cricketing revival and tourism ambitions.
Sources confirmed to BBC Sport that while discussions remain in their infancy, both sides are "very optimistic" that a tour agreement can be reached, signaling a thaw in sporting relations that were severed amid political tensions in 2008.
The proposed matches are likely to be played at the new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, a 10,000-seater venue currently under construction near Victoria Falls. The stadium is being developed by ZC with financial backing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) at an estimated cost of £4 million to £8 million. It is also expected to host matches during the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
The scenic location near one of the world's natural wonders, combined with safari tourism potential, is expected to make the stadium a compelling draw for cricket fans and travelling supporters.
The breakthrough in talks comes during Zimbabwe's ongoing tour of England, where they are playing a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge. ZC officials have used the opportunity to engage with ECB counterparts and rebuild bridges that were long burnt due to political instability during the rule of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Although specific details of the proposed tour - including formats and number of matches - are yet to be confirmed, a white-ball bilateral series appears most likely. However, the idea of a one-off Test has also been floated, especially as a possible warm-up to a more extensive tour of neighboring South Africa, potentially increasing its appeal to England's travelling fanbase.
Zimbabwe has not hosted England since a four-match ODI series in 2004, which marked the last engagement before diplomatic tensions halted cricketing ties. That visit followed England's high-profile boycott of a 2003 World Cup match in Harare, and culminated in the UK government's 2008 decision to sever all bilateral cricketing relations.
Zimbabwe also withdrew from the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup in England amid mounting political pressure.
While the road to restoration has been long, cricketing diplomacy appears to be paying dividends, with both nations inching closer to resuming bilateral ties. Should the tour materialise, it would mark a symbolic and strategic milestone for Zimbabwe's cricketing revival and tourism ambitions.
Source - The Standard
