Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons left for the United Arab Emirates yesterday evening for a month-long multi-format tour that forms part of the broader ICC 2027 Cricket World Cup preparations.
The Chevrons, who will be captained by Sikandar Raza during the tour, will face hosts Afghanistan and Bangladesh in an ODI tri-series before engaging Afghanistan in three T20Is and two Test matches.
They have been preparing in Harare for the past two weeks.
Zimbabwe Cricket spokesperson, Darlington Majonga, said the Chevrons will be looking to make the most of the extensive assignment that runs from this Saturday to November 17. Zimbabwe selectors kept faith in the core of the groups that featured in recent white-ball series against Australia, with Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa coming in for Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer.
Kaia is working his way back to full fitness after suffering a thigh strain but is expected to be ready for the T20I series.
Tsiga and Masekesa are both in contention for their ODI debuts, adding options to a squad that blends established internationals with an emerging generation of players.
Raza has been entrusted with the responsibility to lead the team in the absence of Richard Ngarava, who is still recovering from a back injury.
Raza, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor provide experience in the batting group alongside Ben Curran, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Blessing Muzarabani heads the pace attack, which also includes Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku and Newman Nyamhuri, while Masekesa joins Wellington Masakadza and the all-rounders among the spin options.
Masekesa has also been named in the T20I squad and, alongside Tsiga, is in contention for a debut in the shortest international format.
Kundai Matigimu will replace Evans for the third and final T20I.
Zimbabwe will open the ODI tri-series against Bangladesh on Saturday before meeting Afghanistan on Monday.
The hosts will face Bangladesh in the final round-robin fixture on October 21, with the top two teams advancing to the final on October 23. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will then contest three T20Is between October 27 and November 1.
The tour concludes with two Tests, scheduled for November 5-9 and November 13-17.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket yesterday confirmed a seven-match home series against Ireland ‘A’ next month, with Zimbabwe ‘A’ set to face the visitors in two four-day matches and five one-day matches in Harare.
The tour will run from November 5 to 27, offering players on the fringes of the senior national side an opportunity to strengthen their claims across both formats.
Harare Sports Club will host both four-day matches, the first from 5 to 8 November and the second from 12 to 15 November.
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, 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, Wessly Madhevere
