Zimbabwe has announced its traveling squads for an extensive upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates, where veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza will continue to lead the side in the absence of the recovering fast bowler Richard Ngarava. Ngarava remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury, leaving the leadership responsibilities firmly in the hands of Raza, who has regularly stepped up to captain the national side across formats during periods of transition and injury absences.
The team’s immediate assignment in the UAE will be a challenging one-day international tri-series featuring Afghanistan and Bangladesh, with the opening matches scheduled to get underway on October 17. Following the conclusion of the tri-series, Zimbabwe will remain in the country to play a separate bilateral series against Afghanistan, consisting of three Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches. This demanding schedule marks a significant block of international fixtures for the Chevrons as they look to build momentum following a difficult recent outing against Australia, which saw them suffer a 3-0 series defeat in the 50-over format on home soil in Harare.
In shaping the squad for this UAE tour, the selection panel has opted for a blend of established experience and emerging domestic performers, handing maiden white-ball call-ups to two standout players from the domestic circuit. Both the ODI and T20I squads feature 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga and 29-year-old legspinner Vincent Masekesa, who have both earned their places on the back of impressive red-ball campaigns in the Logan Cup.
To accommodate the new faces, the selectors made notable adjustments to the setup, leaving out veteran spinner Graeme Cremer. Cremer had recently returned to the international fold during the series against Australia, featuring in just one of the three matches against the tourists. That appearance marked his first ODI in eight and a half years, but it has not proven enough to secure his retention in the touring party. Meanwhile, top-order batter Innocent Kaia, who was forced to retire hurt due to a thigh injury during the final game of the Australia series, has been included only for the T20I leg against Afghanistan starting on October 27, by which time he is expected to have fully regained his fitness.
The inclusions of Tsiga and Masekesa highlight Zimbabwe Cricket’s strategy of rewarding domestic consistency. Tsiga has enjoyed a stellar run with the bat, recording three first-class centuries over the course of the year and previously earning experience in the Test arena for Zimbabwe. Similarly, Masekesa dominated the domestic bowling charts in the Logan Cup, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Mountaineers with 25 scalps at an impressive average of 29.92. He further enhanced his reputation with a nine-wicket match haul against a strong Bangladesh emerging team in Sylhet. The team management will be hoping that both players can successfully transfer their prolific red-ball form into the limited-overs formats on international surfaces.
Surrounding the new faces are familiar pillars of the Zimbabwe batting lineup. Raza, veteran batter Craig Ervine, and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor bring a wealth of international experience to anchor the middle and top orders. In a notable boost to the squad’s depth, all-rounder Ryan Burl has been recalled to the ODI setup. Burl, whose last ODI appearance came back in January 2024, returns to bolster the middle order and provide useful spin-bowling options.
The pace-bowling department will be spearheaded by the towering Blessing Muzarabani, who will shoulder the primary responsibility with the new ball. He will receive support from Brad Evans across nearly the entirety of the white-ball fixtures. The only exception to Evans’ availability occurs during the third T20I against Afghanistan, for which he has been temporarily replaced in the squad by Kundai Matigimu.
The announcement of these squads underscores Zimbabwe’s intent to inject fresh energy into their white-ball cricket while maintaining a stable core of experienced campaigners as they prepare for a gruelling block of matches in the Middle East.
Zimbabwe ODI Squad
Sikandar Raza (capt), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor (wk), Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere
Zimbabwe T20I Squad
Sikandar Raza (capt), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere
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