Zimbabwe stick with T20 WC core for Bangladesh series

Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday named a 15-man squad for the three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, retaining the core of the side that reached the Super Eight at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with exciting young fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri and batter Milton Shumba the only additions.

The matches will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 15, 17 and 19 July. 

Zimbabwe return to T20I cricket buoyed by a memorable T20 World Cup campaign that saw them top their first-round group unbeaten and record famous victories over Australia and Sri Lanka.

Experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza continues as captain as Zimbabwe seek to build on the momentum generated by that landmark campaign.

Nyamhuri, who is yet to make his T20I debut, comes into the squad after impressing across formats, while Shumba returns to the 20-over fold for the first time since his most recent appearance against the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Ben Curran, who was drafted into Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year as an injury replacement for Brendan Taylor, retains his place and, along with Nyamhuri, will be hoping to make his T20I debut during the series.

Graeme Cremer was unavailable for selection after being ruled out with a left-arm fracture, while Taylor and Tony Munyonga also miss out from Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup squad.

Convener of selectors David Mutendera said that continuity had been a key consideration while ensuring opportunities remained available for players who had earned them.

“The T20 World Cup showed what this group is capable of, so continuity was an important consideration for us,” he noted.

“We wanted to keep together the core of a squad that reached the Super Eight while also creating room for players who have earned their opportunities. This series gives the team another opportunity to keep growing as we continue building towards the major international tournaments ahead.”

The T20I series concludes Bangladesh’s white-ball tour of Zimbabwe following the three-match One-Day International series currently underway in Harare.

ZIMBABWE T20I SQUAD:

Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Milton Shumba.