Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the Chevrons in both One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket during their upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates, with wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga and leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa earning places in both squads.
Raza will take charge in the absence of regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a back injury, as Zimbabwe prepare for a demanding month-long assignment featuring an ODI tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by three T20Is and two Test matches against Afghanistan.
The tour runs from October 17 to November 17, with the white-ball fixtures providing Zimbabwe with an opportunity to assess their squad depth and give emerging players a chance to establish themselves at international level.
Tsiga, 32, and Masekesa, 29, are both in contention to make their debuts in Zimbabwe’s white-ball teams after being included in the ODI and T20I squads.
Tsiga has previously represented Zimbabwe in Test cricket and has scored three first-class centuries this year, strengthening his case for selection as a wicketkeeper-batter in the limited-overs formats.
Masekesa, meanwhile, has impressed in domestic cricket, taking 27 wickets for the Mountaineers in the Logan Cup at an average of 29.92. He also claimed nine wickets in a match against Bangladesh’s emerging side in Sylhet, further boosting his credentials as a spin-bowling option.
Their inclusion comes as Zimbabwe make changes to the squad that faced Australia in Harare last month.
Graeme Cremer has been left out of the ODI squad after featuring in only one of the three matches against Australia. His appearance in that series marked his return to ODI cricket after an absence of more than eight years.
Innocent Kaia, who suffered a thigh injury during the final ODI against Australia, has been omitted from the ODI squad but included in the T20I team as he continues his recovery. He is expected to be available for the T20I series against Afghanistan, which begins on October 27.
Zimbabwe have retained much of their established core, with Raza, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor providing experience in the batting department, alongside Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani.
The bowling attack will be led by fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, with Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku and Newman Nyamhuri providing additional pace options. Wellington Masakadza and Masekesa are among the team’s spin resources.
Kundai Matigimu has also been included in the T20I squad and will replace Evans for the third and final match against Afghanistan on November 1.
Zimbabwe begin their UAE campaign against Bangladesh on October 17 before facing Afghanistan two days later. Afghanistan and Bangladesh will meet on October 21, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for October 23.
The Chevrons will then turn their attention to the T20I series against Afghanistan, with matches scheduled for October 27 and 29 and November 1.
The tour will conclude with two Test matches against Afghanistan, from November 5 to 9 and November 13 to 17.
Zimbabwe ODI squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere.
Zimbabwe T20I squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere.
