Zimbabwe announce squad for T20I tri-series in Namibia

Zimbabwe have named a 15-player squad for the T20I tri-series to be hosted by Namibia in Windhoek, with the tournament running from August 28 to September 6. South Africa complete the three-team field, bringing together all three co-hosts of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in a single competition.

Sikandar Raza will lead the side. The headline selection is the comeback of leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, who sat out Zimbabwe's recent home series against Bangladesh and India while recovering from a left-arm injury. Kundai Matigimu, a Test-capped Zimbabwe batter with one appearance at that level, earns a place in the squad as well.

Each of the three sides will meet the other twice during the group stage, giving every team six matches before the round-robin standings are settled. The top two nations at the end of that phase will contest the final on September 6, meaning a side can recover from an early defeat and still reach the title-deciding match.

Zimbabwe open their campaign against South Africa on Friday before turning to face Namibia on Sunday. Those back-to-back fixtures in the opening days of the tournament will test squad depth and rotation, particularly given the absence of two frontline pace bowlers.

Richard Ngarava has been ruled out as he continues to manage a lower-back injury. His absence removes one of Zimbabwe's more experienced pace options from the T20I setup for this series.

Tanaka Chivanga is unavailable after undergoing surgery to repair an Achilles tendon injury sustained during practice. Zimbabwe confirmed both absences alongside the squad announcement, and the selections in the pace department reflect the need to cover for two bowlers who would ordinarily be strong candidates for the eleven. No return dates have been provided for either player.

Also Read: South Africa announce squad for historic Zimbabwe T20I tour

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Newman Nyamhuri and Tafadzwa Tsiga.