Online Reporter
FORMER captain Graeme Cremer, who returned to international cricket in October after a seven-year hiatus, has been named in Zimbabwe’s 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The 39-year-old leg spinner had made his comeback during the tri-series in Pakistan, where he picked up 2 for 44 from seven overs across two games.
Blessing Muzarabani, who had missed the tri-series with a back injury, is also back. Left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri is the only one from that squad to miss out.
Clive Madande, who had come in for Sean Williams for the Africa region qualifier, retained his place.
He was the top scorer in Zimbabwe’s domestic tournament with 152 runs in four games at an average of 76.00 and a strike rate of 138.18.
Sikandar Raza will lead the squad that includes Test and ODI captain Richard Ngarava and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor among others.
Like Cremer, Taylor too made a comeback earlier this year. Since then, he has played 13 T20Is and scored 251 runs at an average of 22.81 and a strike rate of 144.25. However, 123 of those came in one innings against Botswana.
If one excludes that knock, his average and strike rate drop to 12.80 and 106.66, respectively.
Muzarabani and Ngarava will lead the seam attack. In the spin department, Wellington Masakadza is the other experienced name apart from Cremer.
Zimbabwe are placed in Group B, along with Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Oman.
They will start their campaign against Oman on 9 February and will play all their group matches in Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Sikandar Raza (capt), 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. – ESPNcricinfo
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