ZIMBABWE Cricket has unveiled its squads for the highly anticipated white-ball series against Afghanistan, featuring three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and as many One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at Harare Sports Club from December 11 to 21.
The squads boast some fresh faces and exciting new additions, setting the stage for an electrifying clash of cricketing titans. Left-handed batter Ben Curran and left-arm pacer Newman Nyamhuri are the two newcomers who have earned their maiden national team call-ups.
Curran, 28, has been selected following impressive performances in domestic cricket. His cricketing pedigree is undeniable, being the son of the late Kevin Curran, a former Zimbabwe international and coach, and the brother of England internationals Tom and Sam Curran.
Nyamhuri, 18, has been identified as one of the country's standout young talents. He emerged as Zimbabwe's leading wicket-taker with eight scalps at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. The promising pacer has drawn praise as a "future star" of Zimbabwean cricket.
The ODI squad welcomes back Victor Nyauchi, while Curran and Nyamhuri have been named in the team. They replace Faraz Akram, Brandon Mavuta and Clive Madande, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
The T20I squad features some changes, with Nyamhuri and opening batter Takudzwanashe Kaitano coming in. Madande and Mavuta miss out due to injury and selection adjustments.
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Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons had hinted on the few changes on the conclusion of the series against Pakistan in Bulawayo.
"The bottom line is that if we don't rest our players, they won't be able to manage. Naturally, there will be changes, especially with Clive's injury. We're moving to different conditions here (Bulawayo), which are obviously spin-friendly, and then to Harare, which suits the seamers. As a result, we'll be making changes to our personnel based on their skill sets," Sammons said.
"The skills required for these conditions are different from those needed in Harare, so we'll be making adjustments accordingly. While there may be one or two new additions based on domestic performance in regional games, our primary focus remains on backing our core group of players and giving them a fair run."
Zimbabwe's squads for the Afghanistan series are looking strong, with a mix of experienced players and new talent. With new talent on display and a mix of experienced players, Zimbabwe is ready to take on the challenge.
The Zimbabwe T20I squad will be led by Sikandar Raza, while Craig Ervine will captain the ODI squad.
The full squads are as follows:
Zimbabwe T20I squad:
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri
Zimbabwe ODI squad:
Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams