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OPENING BATSMAN Chamu Chibhabha has been named captain of the Zimbabwe A side for the five match one day series against the United Arab Emirates. The 15-member squad arrived in Dubai yesterday for the two-week tour. They will play five one-day matches against the UAE, with the series opener scheduled for this Thursday.
Four of the matches will be played at the ICC Academy Oval, with one match set for the iconic Dubai International Stadium. Two games will be day-night matches. Peter Joseph Moor and Tendai Chisoro, who both played in Zimbabwe’s second Test against the West Indies in Bulawayo last week, are part of the side. The selectors also gave the nod to former national team players Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Brian Chari and Neville Madziva. They were joined by a host of upcoming talents like Tarisai Musakanda, Ryan Burl, Brendan Mavuta and Richard Ngarava.
Zimbabwe A coach Douglas Hondo, his assistant Wayne James and physiotherapist Anesu Mupotaringa yesterday took the players for a gym session to shake off the jet lag following the overnight flight from Harare via Lusaka. The Zimbabwe A tour is part of concerted efforts by Zimbabwe Cricket to expose the next best tier of the country’s players to international competition so as to broaden the base for selection into the senior team. According to a statement from the association yesterday, touring the UAE, which has ICC Associate Member status, is also a gesture by ZC to contribute to the growth of the global game, in keeping with the ICC motto: “Championing World Cricket.” Next year, ZC will host the UAE on a reciprocal tour.
ZIMBABWE A SQUAD FOR UAE 2017 TOUR
Ryan Burl, Brian Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha (Captain), Tendai Chisoro, Innocent Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Willliam Mashinge, Prince Masvaure, Brandon Mavuta, Peter Joseph Moor (Wicket-keeper), Tarisai Musakanda, Richard Ngarava
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