Zimbabwe has revealed the 15-player squads for the Sri Lanka tour beginning on January 6, with Craig Ervine returning from a groin injury to captain the ODI team and being included in the T20I lineup. Unfortunately, the team faces a setback as key all-rounder Sean Williams is sidelined due to injury. The uncapped off-spinner Tapiwa Mufudza earns a spot in the ODI squad based on impressive showings in domestic competitions.
Additionally, pace-bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram, who featured in the squad against Ireland, is poised for his ODI debut after making four appearances in T20Is. Sikandar Raza will captain the T20I team, undergoing three changes with Brian Bennett, Ainsley Ndlovu, and Carl Mumba taking the places of Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Mufudza, and Akram.
Wessly Madhevere has been omitted from both squads due to a suspension by Zimbabwe Cricket for violating anti-doping regulations. Colombo is set to host three ODIs and three T20Is, marking a series between two teams rebounding from recent challenges.
Sri Lanka concluded the ODI World Cup in second-to-last place, leading to their exclusion from qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s subpar performance in the Africa Region qualifier prevented them from securing a spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup. They faced defeats in the home series against Ireland, losing the T20I series 2-1 and the ODI series 2-0.
Despite winning the initial T20I, Zimbabwe struggled, dropping four of the subsequent five matches, and the opening ODI was abandoned due to rain. Sikandar Raza, the regular captain, missed the final two T20Is due to a two-game suspension for misconduct in the first match.
In the meantime, Sri Lanka announced preliminary squads for both series, with Wanindu Hasaranga slated to lead the T20I team and Kusal Mendis to captain the ODI side.
Zimbabwe ODI Team for Sri Lanka tour
Craig Ervine (c), Faraz Akran, Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie, Clive Madande, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tapiwa Mufudza, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba.
Zimbabwe T20I Team for Sri Lanka tour
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Carl Mumba, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.
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