England will host Zimbabwe in May 2025 for a four-day Test, marking the primary Test match between the edges since June 2003. The recreation might be performed from May 28 to 31 however the venue is but to be confirmed.
England forfeited factors in the 2003 World Cup after refusing to journey to Harare to play Zimbabwe, and the ECB suspended bilateral agreements with Zimbabwe on authorities recommendation in 2005. Relations between the 2 nations have improved in current years, main to a resumed dialogue between the 2 cricket boards.
ECB chief government Richard Gould stated of the event: “We are delighted to be able to host Zimbabwe for a Men’s Test match for the first time in two decades. Zimbabwe has a proud cricket history and have produced world-class players and coaches who have enriched the game across the world.
“We are dedicated to creating a better relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket and the announcement of this Test in opposition to our England Men’s workforce is a step in that ambition.”
ZC managing director, Givemore Makoni, said: “We are completely delighted to be enjoying bilateral cricket in England for the primary time in over twenty years after we agreed to play a Test match in May 2025.
“The significance and magnitude of this tour cannot be over-emphasised, and I would like to say a huge thank you to the ECB for committing to the resumption of cricketing relations between our countries that date back to the introduction of the game in Zimbabwe in the 1890s.
“The expertise of enjoying a Test match in opposition to a prime workforce like England is very large for the present era of our gamers, coming at a time when our recreation as a complete is on an upward trajectory.”
England were due to be the only one of the 12 ICC full members not to play Zimbabwe in an bilateral series as per the 2022-2027 future tours programme. For the ECB, the move is part of a concerted effort to re-position itself as an ally to full member nations who had previously been overlooked for Test cricket.
England even have 5 residence Tests in opposition to India scheduled for the 2025 residence summer season, whereas Lord’s is due to host the World Test Championship last.