![Sikandar Raza with Zimbabwe team [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1783522489513_SikandarRazawithZimbabwe.jpg?type=hq)
Sikandar Raza with Zimbabwe team [Source: AFP]
After Richard Ngarava took over the ODI and Test formats as skipper of the Zimbabwe national men's cricket team, the Chevrons decided to stick with the T20 World Cup 2026 core for the Bangladesh T20I series.
Ahead of the 2nd ODI against the Bengal Tigers at home on July 9, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Bangladesh T20I series.
The matches will be played on 15, 17 and 19 of July as the 3rd ODI concludes on the 11th.
Sikandar Raza named captain of the Zimbabwe T20I squad
After being overlooked from the ODI and Test captaincies, Sikandar Raza has now continued in the leadership position for the T20I side. Raza will lead a strong and experienced side that also travelled to India for the World Cup this year.
Experienced names like Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, and Clive Madande will champion the batting unit. Meanwhile, the bowling unit will be led by Blessing Muzarabani alongside Richard Ngarava.
The only two new additions to the World Cup squad have been the pace bowling sensation Newman Nyamhuri and batter Milton Shumba.
While Shumba makes his return to the T20I side after almost four years since facing the Netherlands at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, Nyamhuri awaits his debut.
Zimbabwe Squad For Bangladesh T20I Series
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.
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Why did Zimbabwe opt for the same World Cup squad?
The chosen squad for the Bangladesh series sees almost equal parallels to the World Cup 2026 in India. The primary reason, as explained by the officials, is to maintain consistency.
“The T20 World Cup showed what this group is capable of, so continuity was an important consideration for us. 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," convener of selectors David Mutendera said in an official press release.
He added, "This series gives the team another opportunity to keep growing as we continue building towards the major international tournaments ahead.”
Zimbabwe’s T20 WC squad set to trouble the visitors for the T20I series
After dominating Group B in the World Cup 2026, Zimbabwe stormed into the Super 8 stage. With three straight wins, the confidence of the Chevrons were at an all-time high.
However, they received the very first shock against West Indies in the Super 8 Games and later were also defeated by India and South Africa, which drew the line for their ICC title.
Nevertheless, the team’s leading run scorer in the tournament, Brian Bennett, who averaged 146 from 6 matches, is included in the squad along with Tadiwanashe Marumani, the third-highest scorer.
Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, the leading wicket-takers of the T20 World Cup 2026 for Zimbabwe, will continue in the attack alongside the skipper Sikandar Raza to master both the pace and spin units.
Overall, it will be a tough ground for Bangladesh to break since they have already been struggling, losing the One-Off Test and the 1st ODI to the hosts.
As Raza and Co. prepare for the first T20I, it will also allow them to hone a squad of talents that might show further promise in 2028.
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