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Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons boarded their flight to Sri Lanka today with one message echoing through the dressing room: Super Eight or nothing.
Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons has set his sights firmly on reaching the tournament’s second round as the national team begins the next phase of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which runs from February 8 to March 9 in Sri Lanka and India.
After several days of fitness and tactical work at their Harare camp, Sammons believes the groundwork has been laid. He now wants sharper execution in match deciding passages, not just intensity in the nets.
“Obviously, our main focus is to qualify for the Super Eight, and it comes down to us learning the key moments in games and doing well. So, our goal is to get through from the group stage to the Super Eight phase of the competition,” said Sammons.
Zimbabwe return to the T20 World Cup with something to prove after missing the last edition in the USA and West Indies. Their Group B draw offers no comfort: Australia, Ireland, Oman and hosts Sri Lanka, with only two places available in the next round.
To prepare, Zimbabwe Cricket has sent the team to Sri Lanka early so players can adjust to the conditions — from pitch behaviour to heat and humidity — ahead of the pressure matches.
The squad is expected to base in Hambantota this week before moving to Colombo for the group fixtures, a schedule designed to allow the team to settle well before the tournament begins.
The 15 man group has been training in Harare under Sammons and assistant coach Dion Ebrahim, with the camp enhanced by the presence of former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh, who joined as a bowling consultant.
“The players have been excellent. They have really put in hard work in all aspects. Conditioning has been really good and then obviously they are super keen,” Sammons said.
Sammons also praised Zimbabwe Cricket for supporting the plan, saying the early departure and the availability of training facilities had contributed to the camp’s intensity.
“It’s been really pleasing. The board have made a plan to get us to Sri Lanka early and they also got us those facilities in Harare. They have supported us nicely and it’s really good we are going to Sri Lanka early and get accustomed and acclimatise to the conditions because obviously they are quite different,” he said.
Most of the squad recently completed Zimbabwe’s domestic T20 competition, helping them regain rhythm after the festive break. Captain Sikandar Raza has been competing in the SA20 in South Africa, while Ryan Burl has been in action at the Bangladesh Premier League.
“Raza is playing in the SA20 doing exceptionally well and Ryan Burl is at the Bangladesh Premier League, also getting some good intense game time in there. So, it’s good for those two,” said Sammons.
For the rest of the team, Sammons said training in Harare focused on conditioning, fielding standards and skill refinement, with Walsh working closely with the bowlers and Ebrahim with the batters.
“Bowlers have been working on their skills with Courtney Walsh and the batters with Dion Ebrahim, so that’s been really good, good intense days there,” Sammons said.
Zimbabwe open their campaign with a crucial match against Oman at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on February 9. They then face Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium on February 13.
The team travels to Kandy to meet Ireland at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 17, before returning to Colombo for what could be a decisive final group match against Sri Lanka on February 19.
If Zimbabwe are to deliver on Sammons’ Super Eight objective, their early work in Harare and early arrival in Sri Lanka must translate into clinical performances. In this group, one poor session could end their World Cup before it properly begins.
Zimbabwe Squad, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande,
Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor
Online Reporter