T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe announce 15-member squad; Sikandar Raza to captain | Cricket News

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The team will be led by experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who continues as captain as Zimbabwe aim to perform strongly on the world stage.The selectors have mostly backed the same group of players, showing faith in a settled core. The only new name in the squad is fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who has returned to full fitness. He was not part of the team that played the T20I triangular series in Pakistan in November, which also included Sri Lanka. His comeback is seen as a big boost for Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.

Muzarabani will lead the pace unit along with left-arm fast bowler Richard Ngarava. They will be supported by fast bowlers like Bradley Evans and Tinotenda Maposa. This mix allows Zimbabwe to adapt to different conditions they may face in India and Sri Lanka.In the spin department, Zimbabwe have gone with experience. Veteran spinner Graeme Cremer has been recalled to the squad and will partner Wellington Masakadza.Young batters Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani will be looking to catch eyes in their first T20 World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor will also be there to add some much-needed experience to the roster.All-rounder Ryan Burl is also there. Tashinga Musekiwa, Clive Madande, Tony Munyonga, and Dion Myers complete a flexible and well-rounded squad.Zimbabwe are in Group B, where they will face Australia, Ireland, Oman, and co-hosts Sri Lanka. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the Super Eight stage.Zimbabwe will begin their campaign against Oman on February 9 in Colombo. They will then play Australia on February 13, Ireland on February 17 in Kandy, and finish their group matches against Sri Lanka on February 19 in Colombo.Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), 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.