Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe in the ODI tri-series and the T20Is in the UAE while regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava recovers from a back injury, with Tafadzwa Tsiga and Vincent Masekesa possible debutants.
ESPNcricinfo reported on Friday 9 October 2026 that Sikandar Raza will continue as Zimbabwe's ODI captain and will also lead the T20I squad on the tour of the UAE. Regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava is still recovering from a back injury. Wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga and legspinner Vincent Masekesa are two potential debutants in both white-ball squads.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Captain | Sikandar Raza, in both the ODI and T20I squads |
| Absent | Richard Ngarava, recovering from a back injury |
| Tri-series | ODIs against Afghanistan and Bangladesh from 17 October, final on 23 October |
| T20Is | Three against Afghanistan on 27 October, 29 October and 1 November |
| Tests | Two against Afghanistan, 5 to 9 November and 13 to 17 November |
| Possible debutants | Tafadzwa Tsiga (32) and Vincent Masekesa (29) |
Tour schedule
Zimbabwe open the UAE tour with an ODI tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They play Bangladesh on 17 October and Afghanistan on 19 October, while Afghanistan meet Bangladesh on 21 October. The top two sides advance to the final on 23 October.
Zimbabwe then stay on for three T20Is against Afghanistan, on 27 October, 29 October and 1 November, followed by two Tests against Afghanistan from 5 to 9 November and 13 to 17 November.
The squads
ODI squad (15): Sikandar Raza (capt), 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.
T20I squad (14): Sikandar Raza (capt), 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.
Who comes in and who drops out
The ODI squad is largely the group that faced Australia in Harare last month. Tsiga and Masekesa replace Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer. Kaia suffered a thigh strain and is only in the T20I squad, where he is expected to be fit. Cremer is left out of the ODI squad after playing one match against Australia last month.
Raza, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor provide the experience. Blessing Muzarabani leads the pace attack alongside Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku and Newman Nyamhuri. Evans plays all the white-ball games except the third T20I, where Kundai Matigimu replaces him.
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