Zimbabwe is gearing up for their tour of Sri Lanka, with two squads announced for the upcoming matches. The action kicks off with three One-Day Internationals in Colombo on Saturday, (January 6, 2024), followed by a three-match Twenty20 International series.
Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza will lead the teams for the ODIs and T20Is respectively. Ervine, who faced a serious injury in his early teens, has become a key player for Zimbabwe over the years. He’s amassed a total of 5975 runs across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, showing his reliability and dedication to the team.
Having first captained Zimbabwe in a Test match against Bangladesh in 2020, Ervine took over the limited-overs captaincy in 2021. His experience will be crucial, especially with the absence of injured Sean Williams for the Sri Lanka tour.
While Ervine leads the ODI team, Raza will captain the T20I squad. Raza, another seasoned player, has been delivering solid performances with both bat and ball in recent matches.
The selectors have introduced some fresh faces to the squads as well. Uncapped off-spinner Tapiwa Mufudz and fast bowler Faraz Akram join the ODI team, while the T20I squad sees Brian Bennett, Ainsley Ndlovu, and Carl Mumba coming in. This shake-up aims to strengthen the teams for the challenges ahead.
Players like Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, and Tony Munyonga, who were part of the squad for the previous series against Ireland, retain their spots in the ODI squad.
Here’s Zimbabwe’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2024 Squads:
Zimbabwe ODI squad: Craig Ervine (c), Faraz Akran, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba.
Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.
Sri Lanka has revealed their early team selections. Wanindu Hasaranga, who couldn’t play in the Asia Cup and the ODI Cricket World Cup because of an injury, will be back in action. He’ll be taking charge as the captain for the ODIs as a spin-bowling all-rounder. In the ODIs, experienced batsman Kusal Mendis will be leading the team.
Sri Lanka ODI squad (preliminary): Kusal Mendis (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Gunasekera.
Sri Lanka T20I squad (preliminary): Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanaka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Janith Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana.
Zimbabwe’s Tour Of Sri Lanka 2024 – Full Schedule
1st ODI: January 6, 2024
2nd ODI: January 8, 2024
3rd ODI: January 11, 2024
1st T20I: January 14, 2024
2nd T20I: January 16, 2024
3rd T20I: January 18, 2024
All six matches will take place at Colombo’s famous R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.