Zimbabwe are back at the T20 World Cup after sitting out the previous edition in the Caribbean, and will be eager to reassert themselves on the global stage. While the squad leans on experience through skipper Sikandar Raza and the returning veteran Brendan Taylor, the pace duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava gives them a cutting edge with the new ball.
This is their sixth appearance at a T20 World Cup, and while they have never progressed beyond the group stages, the current iteration of the side is arguably the most balanced they have fielded in years.
Consistency will be key because Zimbabwe have often followed statement victories with flat performances. A shock win over Australia in the 2007 edition and a nail-biting upset against Pakistan in 2022 remain their standout moments at the tournament.
Squad
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor
Fixtures
February 9: vs Oman (Colombo)
February 13: vs Australia (Colombo)
February 17: vs Ireland (Pallekele)
February 19: vs Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Probable Starting XI
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
Key Players
Sikandar Raza:
Captain Sikandar Raza is not just the premier all-rounder In the Zimbabwe team, but also its emotional anchor. Batting in the middle order, bowling key overs of off-spin, and leading the side, Raza is the axis around which everything turns. On slow and low Sri Lankan surfaces, his ability to manipulate the field and bowl economically through the middle overs could be decisive.
Blessing Muzarabani:
At over six feet tall, Muzarabani extracts bounce that most subcontinental pitches rarely offer. If he gets things right, the right-arm quick is capable of unsettling top orders early. His battle against the batting lineups of Australia and Sri Lanka may just be one of the most intriguing match-ups of the group stage.
Brian Bennett:
The 22-year-old Bennett emerged as the standout at the African Qualifier which was held in Zimbabwe. Three half-centuries and a commanding century were decisive in sealing their ticket to the tournament. Bennett carried that momentum into the November tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as he registered several composed innings.
Tournament Prediction
Zimbabwe’s path will be a demanding one. Victories against Oman and Ireland will be essential, and an upset against either Australia or Sri Lanka could throw the group wide open.
Zimbabwe’s warm-up fixtures have offered mixed returns so far - a win against the Netherlands followed by a defeat to group rivals Oman. If they aspire to go deep in the tournament, their opening clash with Oman could be the most crucial one, before they turn their attention to heavyweights Australia and Sri Lanka in later fixtures.