2027 World Cup Hosts Set for Historic T20I Tri-Series
News Desk
Islamabad: The three countries set to co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will face each other in a T20I tri-series later this month, offering an early preview of the competition ahead of next year’s global tournament.
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will meet in a six-match league stage beginning August 28 in Windhoek, Namibia. The top two teams will then contest the final on September 6.
The series is being viewed as an important step towards strengthening competitive cricket in Africa, with the organisers also aiming to establish the proposed Africa Cup as a major continental tournament.
Africa Cricket Association chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said the tri-series would help strengthen regional competition and create a platform for developing the proposed Africa Cup into a major continental cricket event from 2027.
Cricket South Africa chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki said the tour would strengthen cricketing ties between neighbouring countries while generating momentum ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller also welcomed the series, describing it as a reflection of the strong partnership between the three cricket boards and their shared ambition to expand the sport across the continent.
The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will return to Africa for the first time in 24 years. South Africa and Zimbabwe previously hosted the tournament in 2003, while Namibia will stage World Cup matches for the first time.
A total of 12 venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia have already been selected to host matches during the 2027 tournament, which is scheduled to take place in October and November.
The upcoming tri-series will begin with South Africa taking on Namibia on August 28, followed by South Africa’s clash with Zimbabwe on August 29.
Zimbabwe will face Namibia on August 31 before meeting South Africa again on September 1. Namibia and Zimbabwe will play on September 3, while the final league match will see Namibia take on South Africa on September 4.
The top two sides will meet in the final on September 6, giving the three World Cup co-hosts an opportunity to assess their squads and build momentum ahead of the 2027 tournament.
