Ireland set to tour Zimbabwe in December for white-ball series

Ireland will be touring Zimbabwe for the second time in the year, with Zimbabwe Cricket confirming the schedule for the series to be played in December. The two teams will take each other on in a three-match T20I series starting December 7. 

Recently, both the teams have changed their captains, with Paul Stirling named Ireland’s full-time white-ball skipper while ever-consistent Sikandar Raza has been named Zimbabwe’s T20I captain. 

After the conclusion of the T20I series, the two teams will battle each other out in a three-match ODI series scheduled for December 13, 15 and 17. All the six games will be played at a single venue - Harare Sports Club. 

"This tour marks the start of a new cycle under a new leadership set-up, and we're looking forward to seeing how this playing group evolves as it builds towards the next 50-over World Cup," Andrew White, Ireland Men's national selector, said. 

"However, before we get to that stage there will be two T20 World Cups to plan and prepare for, and this tour is core to our preparations for the T20 World Cup next June,” as Ireland named the squad on November 8 ahead of the series. 

T20I squad:Paul Stirling (C), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.

ODI squad: Paul Stirling (C), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.