daniel chigunwe
Zimpapers Sport
ZIMBABWE’S Convener of Selectors David Mutendera says the omission of former captains Craig Ervine and Sean Williams from the Twenty20 International cricket squad to face Pakistan in the upcoming series is meant to ensure continuity with a young squad in the shortest format.
The two, along with Joylord Gumbie, were not included in the team announced yesterday for the three-match series to take place next month.
They will be involved in the One Day International matches against Pakistan set to begin this Sunday at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe will host Pakistan in three T20Is and as many ODIs, with all matches to be played in Bulawayo starting this weekend.
Mutendera said Zimbabwe Cricket decided to retain the squad that achieved historic success at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 sub-regional qualifier in Kenya last month.
Led by captain Sikandar Raza, the squad’s impressive chemistry and momentum are expected to serve them well against Pakistan, despite the omission of Ervine, Williams and Gumbie.
“We felt it was essential to maintain the same T20I squad that excelled in Kenya,” said Mutendera.
“This continuity allows the team to build on the cohesion and confidence that drove their outstanding performance.”
The white-ball series will kick off with three ODIs, with the first one expected this Sunday.
This will be followed by two more ODIs on November 26 and 28, followed by as many T20Is scheduled for December 1, 3 and 5.
Ervine will captain the ODI squad, bolstered by experienced campaigners Raza and Williams, as well as key pace bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
Pakistan are set to arrive in Zimbabwe later this week after completing their tour of Australia where they played three ODIs and as many T20Is.
They edged the Australians 2-1 in the ODI competition before going down 0-3 in the T20I series that ended yesterday.
They have rested senior players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Zimbabwe tour.
ZIMBABWE ODI SQUAD
Craig Ervine (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams ZIMBABWE T20I
SQUAD
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava
Online Reporter