Sikandar Raza is set to lead Zimbabwe across both white-ball formats during the team’s upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates. The month-long assignment, scheduled from October 17 to November 17, features an ODI tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by three T20Is and two Test matches against Afghanistan. Raza has been appointed as the ODI captain in the absence of Richard Ngarava, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a back injury.
Squad Composition and Adjustments
The ODI squad selection maintains consistency with the group that recently faced Australia in Harare. However, Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa have been drafted in to replace Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer. While Kaia is sidelined with a thigh strain, he is expected to recover in time for the T20I series. Additionally, both Tsiga and Masekesa are in contention to make their international debuts in the upcoming limited-overs matches.
Tour Fixtures and Technical Details
- Zimbabwe opens their ODI campaign against Bangladesh on October 17, followed by a match against Afghanistan on October 19.
- Afghanistan and Bangladesh will meet in the final round-robin fixture on October 21, with the top two teams advancing to the final on October 23.
- The T20I series against Afghanistan is scheduled for October 27, October 29, and November 1, with Kundai Matigimu replacing Brad Evans specifically for the third and final T20I.
- The batting order features a blend of veteran presence and youth, including Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, and Tadiwanashe Marumani. The bowling attack will be led by Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku, and Newman Nyamhuri, with support from spinners Wellington Masakadza and Vincent Masekesa.
- The tour concludes with two Test matches, taking place from November 5-9 and November 13-17.
