Namibia is set to host a major international cricket spectacle when the FNB T20 Tri-Nations Series gets underway in Windhoek on 28 August, featuring Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The three teams will play each other twice in a round-robin format before the top two sides meet in the final on 6 September.

The tournament forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen cricket competition on the African continent, with Cricket Namibia Chief Executive Officer Johan Muller saying the annual tri-nations concept was agreed upon by the three participating countries as a potential stepping stone towards an expanded Africa Cup.

South Africa has named a squad led by left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who will captain the Proteas during the tournament.

The squad includes promising players such as Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla with brothers Jordan and Rubin Hermann, pace bowler Duan Jansen and Eathan Bosch.

For Namibia, the tournament provides another opportunity for the FNB Namibia Eagles to test themselves against two of Africa’s strongest cricket nations on home soil.

Following the T20 series, Zimbabwe will return home while South Africa remains in Namibia for a three-match ODI series against the Eagles. The ODI matches are scheduled for 9, 11 and 13 September, extending what promises to be a major period of international cricket at the FNB Namibia Cricket Ground.

By Rudi Bowe