Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRENDAN Taylor could finally make his long awaited return to T20 international cricket when Zimbabwe host Namibia in a three match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo next week.
The veteran batter last featured in this format back in April 2021.
He missed last week’s series against Sri Lanka in Harare after injuring his finger during the preceding One Day Internationals.
Taylor was still named in the unchanged squad picked to face the Richelieu Eagles, with left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza also in line for a comeback after sitting out the Sri Lanka games.
Masakadza trained with the team, and after Sunday’s series decider against the Asians, Chevrons captain Sikandar Raza confirmed both players were close to action.
“Wellington (Masakadza) has passed his fitness test and should be good to go. Regarding BT (Taylor), we will only know in a few days’ time. However, from what I heard, it is looking very promising and that he will be good to go as well,” Raza said.
The three T20Is are set for September 15, 16 and 18. Both nations are using the games to fine-tune their squads ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, which runs from September 26 to October 4 in Harare.
Zimbabwe and Namibia will be joined by Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda in the regional tournament.
Only two nations will advance to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Namibia hold the upper hand in recent meetings with Zimbabwe, winning seven of their 11 T20 clashes.
Their rivalry began in 2022 at Queens when Namibia shocked the hosts 3-2 to claim their first series win over a Full Member.
In 2023, they repeated the feat at home in Windhoek with another 3-2 success.
Their most recent encounter came at last year’s Africa Regional Qualifier, where Namibia eased to a seven-wicket victory.
The Bulawayo series will give fans a chance to see international cricket at Queens again, with entry free of charge.
