Bangladesh to host Zimbabwe for Twenty20 tri-series despite ban

Zimbabwe cricket is facing a massive problem. The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe in July over a failure to keep the sport free from government interference, putting the country's participation in multi-nation events in doubt. However, there is a ray of hope for the country when it comes to the cricket when Zimbabwe will travel to Bangladesh to participate in a Twenty20 tri-series which will also feature Afghanistan in September 2019.

However, Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus clarified that Zimbabwe were just banned from ICC events and not from playing any bilateral or trilateral series. "We have been informed by the concerned officials that there is no bar on Zimbabwe playing in bilateral matches. They are only suspended from ICC events. This is why we included them in the series," Yunus said.

Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan in September, but officials said Zimbabwe had been included in the series following a request from the strife-torn country. The tri-series will be preceded by Afghanistan's maiden Test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong from September 8.
   
Fixtures:

September 8: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match   

Sept 11: T20 practice match between Zimbabwe XI and BCB XI in Fatullah
   
Sept 13: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe tri-nation T20I in Dhaka
   
Sept 14: Afghanistan v Zimbabwe tri-nation T20I in Dhaka
   
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Afghanistan tri-nation T20I in Dhaka
   
Sept 18: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe tri-nation T20I in Chittagong
   
Sept 20: Afghanistan v Zimbabwe tri-nation T20I in Chittagong
   
Sept 21: Bangladesh v Afghanistan tri-nation T20I in Chittagong
   
Sept 24: Final of tri-nation T20I in Dhaka

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Afghanistan will play Bangladesh in a Test match for the first time.
• Zimbabwe were suspended by the ICC in July.
• Zimbabwe's suspension will affect their participation in ICC events.