Blessing Muzarabani ruled out as Zimbabwe name squad for T20I tri-series in Pakistan

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Zimbabwe have confirmed their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in Pakistan, which also involves Sri Lanka. The series, scheduled to begin on November 17 in Rawalpindi, will serve as a vital preparation platform for all three teams as they gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India.

However, Zimbabwe will be without their frontline pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who has been ruled out due to a back injury. The 28-year-old fast bowler, known for his height and bounce, has been a key figure in Zimbabwe’s bowling attack across formats. His absence comes as a blow to the side that has been striving to build consistency in the shortest format.

To fill the void left by Muzarabani, the selectors have handed an opportunity to Newman Nyamhuri, a left-arm seamer who is yet to make his debut in T20 internationals. Nyamhuri, however, is not a complete newcomer to the international stage—he has already represented Zimbabwe in four Tests and four ODIs since making his debut earlier this year.

Interestingly, the 26-year-old was part of Zimbabwe’s squad for a T20I tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July but did not feature in any match. His inclusion this time suggests that the selectors are keen to test his skills in different conditions ahead of next year’s global tournament.

Experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza will continue to lead the national side, reflecting the management’s confidence in his leadership. Raza’s tactical awareness and match-winning ability with both bat and ball make him the ideal figure to guide a relatively young squad.

Veterans such as Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl, and Richard Ngarava provide stability and experience in key areas. Meanwhile, promising youngsters like Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Tashinga Musekiwa offer fresh energy and intent—two qualities Zimbabwe has been looking to harness in T20 cricket.

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Zimbabwe will begin their campaign against hosts Pakistan on November 17 in Rawalpindi, followed by their second fixture against Sri Lanka on November 19 at the same venue. The action then moves to Lahore, where they are scheduled to play two more round-robin games on November 23 and 25. The final will take place on November 29, featuring the top two teams from the group stage.

As Zimbabwe aim to build momentum and fine-tune their combinations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, this tri-series presents a crucial opportunity to assess their strengths and address key areas of improvement.

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor

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