ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) Chairperson, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, says the association is prioritising increased game time against the world’s top cricketing nations as part of a long-term development strategy.

This follows a string of disappointing results which have seen the Chevrons struggle across all formats of the game.

Zimbabwe is scheduled to play 11 Test matches this year alone — a significant rise from an average of just three Tests annually over the past five years. Among their opponents are world champions South Africa, New Zealand, and England.

The step-up has, however, been difficult for the Chevrons, as they are yet to beat any of the higher-ranked opponents.

Zimbabwe has been thumped in some matches, losing by an innings in four of the Tests they have played so far, while also going down by more than 300 runs twice.

“We could have chosen to continue playing Bangladesh, Ireland, and Afghanistan and post wins without much development to our players, or go all out to develop the team and play teams that are ranked higher than us and develop. Yes, the results are not the best, but we anticipated that. We are in a transitional phase, the team lacked game time, and we are getting game time against the best. After a certain period, the results will come,” Zimbabwe Cricket Chairperson, Honourable Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.

Since making the comeback from the self-imposed break in 2011, Zimbabwe has played 40 Tests in 14 years, an average of just close to three Tests per year.

This year, however, Zimbabwe and Australia will play the most Test matches, donning the whites 11 times.

India and England will play 10 times, South Africa eight, while New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will play five Tests each.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is set to host Sri Lanka in two One Day Internationals and three T20Is from the 26th of this month at Harare Sports Club.