Live Update: England are set to return to Zimbabwe as the 2027 World Cup draw is confirmed. They face a qualifier in Harare on October 20, in their first game in the country since 2004. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World. Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball game, India v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England v Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 A general view at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024. There were no handshakes between the players during the toss, following the recent trend in India vs Pakistan cricket matches. Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan during the toss, India vs Pakistan, Men’s Asian Games Final, Nisshin, October 3, 2026. Bangladesh struck with the bat after Tharindu Ratnayake smashed 65 in 32 balls to take Sri Lanka to a solid 165 for 9. Sri Lankans celebrate after winning the bronze medal, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 3rd place qualifying match at the Men’s Asian Games, Nisshin, October 3, 2026. From 1985 to 2026, India and Pakistan met in six major tournament finals.
Here’s how they played out India’s spectacular victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 final, which gave the format a huge boost in popularity. India’s spectacular victory over Pakistan in the 2007 World T20 final gave the format a huge boost in popularity. Final, India vs Pakistan, World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 24, 2007 Vitel Lawes likes to take wickets with left-arm spin, wants to develop in addition to variations and likes To keep his thoughts secret, Vitel Lawes shows his West Indies vs, West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI, Guyana, July 11, 2026. They took just four wickets and conceded 706 runs in the first two games the series. Rohit Sharma reached his fifty in 32 deliveries, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026. Ahead of the Cup World ODI 2027, the team management wants the fast bowler to be tested and not protected. Gurnoor Brar was caught for 26 in his first two overs, England vs India, 1st ODI, Birmingham, 14 July 2026. His team heads into the third ODI 2-0 against India, but the West Indies head coach believes they have made progress in the right direction. John Campbell reached 50 off just 29 balls, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026. Mukesh Choudhary had Quinton de Kock cut off, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2026, Mumbai, ril 23, 2026 Two overlooked J&K seamers seized an unexpected opportunity to fill the void left by Auqib Nabi, and delivered crucial spells in the Irani Cup Sunil Kumar takes a wicket, Jammu and Kashmir vs Rest of India, Irani Trophy, Srinagar, October 1, 2026 After spending the last seven months in rehab, the fast bowler is ready to play in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir. Akash Deep struck twice early on the final day, England v India, 2nd Test, 5th Day, Birmingham, July 6, 2025. The 41-year-old begins his 25th first-class season by leading Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup against the rest of India in Srinagar. Paras Dogra talks about his hundred, Delhi vs Jammu and Kashmir, Day 2, Delhi, Ranji Trophy, November 9, 2025 Pace and firepower, South Africa could need his talent, control and experience to make a difference against Australia. Lungi Ngidi felt unsupported as a bowler before Shukri Conrad took over as South Africa’s all-format coach. Lungi Ngidi celebrates, South Africa v West Indies, T20 World Cup Super Eight, Ahmedabad, February 26, 2026 SA v Aus Test series – “I pride myself on solving problems” – Beau Webster prepares for his South Africa debut. With Cameron Green a potential questionable starter at Kingsmead, Webster’s mobility may need to come to the fore. Cameron Green reacted after taking a hit while batting, South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom, September 30, 2026 Lhuan-dre Pretorius talked about his first T20 century, MI New York vs San Francisco Unicorns, MLC 2026, Dallas, July 8, 2026 They took just four wickets and conceded 706 runs in the first two games of the Rohit Sharma series reached his fifty in 32 deliveries, India vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, Guwahati, September 30, 2026 Vitel Lawes likes to pick up wickets with the wrist twist of his left arm, wants to develop more and more variations and likes to keep his thoughts hidden. Vitel Lawes shows his West Indies c, West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI, Guyana, July 11, 2026 Bangladesh crashed with the bat after Tharindu Ratnayake smashed 65 in 32 balls to take Sri Lanka to a solid 165 for 9. Sri Lankans celebrate after winning the bronze medal, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Men’s Asian Games, 3rd Place Playoff, Nisshin, October 3, 2026 A general view of Harare Sports Club during the U20 World Cup Final 19, England v India, U19 World Cup, February January 6, 2026 England’s 2027 ODI World Cup will include a return to Zimbabwe for the first time in more than two decades, although the two nations will be drawn in opposite groups for next year’s tournament in southern Africa. On Thursday, England were scheduled to face Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Group B, along with an as-yet-undetermined qualifier whom they will face in the fourth match of the tournament in Harare on October 20, 2027. England resumed bilateral relations with Zimbabwe last year when they played a one-off friendly at Trent Bridge in May 2025 – the first such match in 22 years.
However, they have not faced each other in Zimbabwe since an ODI tour in November and December 2004, during a period of political unrest under former President Robert Mugabe’s regime. This tour followed a confrontation at the 2003 World Cup, the last in southern Africa. Under political pressure from the British government and after death threats from a group calling themselves the Sons and Daughters of Zimbabwe, England – under the presidency of Nasser Hussain – decided not to travel to the country for the group stage match with the tournament’s co-hosts.
This decision resulted in the match being canceled in Zimbabwe’s favour, which contributed to Zimbabwe’s promotion to the Super Six stage at England’s expense. The teams met only once in subsequent ICC events, in the first World T20 in September 2007, when England won by 50 runs at Ce Town. However, as last year’s test showed, relations between the two councils have since improved.
England’s potential return to Zimbabwe has been discussed ahead of the upcoming Future Tours Program (FTP) for 2027 to 2031, which is due to be ratified next month. England also played throughout the Under-19 World Cup against Zimbabwe in February this year, including the final against eventual world champions India. The draw for the 2027 World Cup allowed England to avoid both tournament favorites India and defending champions Australia, at least until the Super 7 stage.
The identities of their opponents in Harare will be confirmed during the World Cup qualifiers scheduled to take place in South Africa and Namibia in February and March next year. West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands and Nepal – all of which took part in the 2025 T20 World Cup – are among the 12 teams that will compete for the two remaining places. A general view of Harare Sports Club during the U19 World Cup final, England vs India, U19 World Cup on February 6, 2026. South Africa and Namibia will co-host the World Cup qualifiers from February 26 to March 21. The Wanderers will host the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup final as well as India vs Pakistan.
