Zimbabwe announce squad for UAE tour [Source: AFP]Zimbabwe Cricket have announced their ODI and T20I squads for a demanding tour of the United Arab Emirates, where they will face Bangladesh and Afghanistan in a three-team ODI series before taking on Afghanistan in three T20Is. Sikandar Raza will lead both white-ball sides as the team prepares for a packed international schedule from October 17 to November 17. The selections also offer potential international debuts to two players, while injury concerns have forced changes too.Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe's UAE tour unitSikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe in both white-ball formats, with the selectors retaining much of the core that featured against Australia in Harare last month. Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa have earned ODI squad places, replacing Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer. The ODI squad features experienced names such as Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor and Ryan Burl, alongside emerging batters Ben Curran, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. ALSO READIndia's Record vs Zimbabwe In ICC World Cup Before 2027 EditionBlessing Muzarabani will spearhead the pace attack, supported by Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku and Newman Nyamhuri. Masekesa joins Wellington Masakadza among the spin options.Both Tsiga and Masekesa could make their international debuts during the tour. Masekesa has also been included in the T20I squad, while Kundai Matigimu will replace Evans for the third and final match of the series.Zimbabwe ODI squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.Which Zimbabwe players missed out on the tour?Richard Ngarava remains unavailable as he continues recovering from a back injury, ruling him out of Zimbabwe's ODI plans for the UAE assignment. Graeme Cremer has also missed out on the announced ODI squad, with Masekesa coming into the group in his place.Innocent Kaia has been left out of the ODI squad while working his way back from a thigh strain. However, he remains in contention for the T20I leg and has been named in the squad for the shortest format. The selectors have also retained flexibility in the T20I group, with Matigimu set to replace Evans for the final fixture.Zimbabwe's tour of UAE 2026 begins against Bangladesh on October 17, followed by an ODI against Afghanistan on October 19. Afghanistan and Bangladesh will meet on October 21, with the final scheduled for October 23. The three T20Is against Afghanistan will take place on October 27, October 29 and November 1. The tour will conclude with two Test matches against Afghanistan, scheduled for November 5–9 and November 13–17.ALSO READRanji Trophy 2026-27 Schedule, Elite Group Squads, Live Streaming, Venues, All You Need To Know
