Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Skipper Sikandar Raza wants Zimbabwe to keep their foot on the pedal when they face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting today at Harare Sports Club.
Fresh from an innings win in last week’s Test, the Chevrons are chasing a statement start to overturn a decade long hoodoo against their Asian rivals. The numbers tell the story, Zimbabwe have beaten Afghanistan only twice in 18 meetings.
Raza, who captained the side to one of those rare wins last year, was upbeat yesterday at the pre-series conference. He believes recent successes, including a T20I series win over Namibia and a flawless run in the T20 Africa World Cup qualifiers, have transformed the team’s confidence and chemistry.
“The mood in the camp is pretty bubbly and lively. Zimbabwe is coming off some beautiful results, so everything we do now builds up to the World Cup,” Raza said. “The team is more settled, everyone’s clear on their roles, and most of us are performing the way we want. We’re playing selfless cricket, and if we stick to our basics and plans, this could be another exciting series.”
The series is part of Zimbabwe’s buildup to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be staged in India and Sri Lanka between February and March.
Selectors have kept faith with the same squad from the qualifiers, with one notable change, veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer returns to the fold after seven years, replacing seamer, Trevor Gwandu.
Raza welcomed Cremer’s comeback, calling him a vital addition. “With Cremer’s addition, he brings a wealth of experience and great insight. He’s a fantastic guy to have in the changing room, and a lot of us can learn from his experience as a former captain. He ticks all the right boxes,” said Raza.
Zimbabwe’s attack will again lean on Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, while Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa represent the emerging generation. Veterans Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl and Wellington Masakadza add experience. Every match now carries extra weight as selectors refine combinations ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“Every series is crucial for us. These three games will help with role clarity and combinations,” Raza added. “We also have the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, so a lot of our cricket now is T20 focused, and rightly so.”
Zimbabwe sit 11th on the ICC T20I rankings, one spot behind Afghanistan. The visitors, though bruised by a 3-0 series loss to Bangladesh, remain formidable and welcome back talismanic captain Rashid Khan, who missed the Test due to back surgery.
Coach Jonathan Trott said Afghanistan were determined to bounce back. “Winning builds confidence, and that’s contagious. We want individuals to stand up and perform while finding the right combinations as we build towards the T20 World Cup,” said Trott.
Zimbabwe Squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Afghanistan Squad
Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
