- Antum Naqvi set for long-awaited Zimbabwe debut after eligibility clearance Cremer also returns to the Test fold after close to nine years, with Bennett set to lead the squad in Ngarava’s absence The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Naqvi, who has been playing in Zimbabwe since 2023, has met the ICC’s criteria for eligibility for his adopted country and could make a much-anticipated debut in Sharjah.
- Twenty-two-year-old Brian Bennett will ctain Zimbabwe in the absence of regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who continues to recover from a back problem.
- Bennett has an experienced batting line-up under his command, including former ctains Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor, while Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani are all expected to feature in the series.
Antum Naqvi set for long-awaited Zimbabwe debut after eligibility clearance Cremer also returns to the Test fold after close to nine years, with Bennett set to lead the squad in Ngarava’s absence The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Naqvi, who has been playing in Zimbabwe since 2023, has met the ICC’s criteria for eligibility for his adopted country and could make a much-anticipated debut in Sharjah.
Twenty-two-year-old Brian Bennett will ctain Zimbabwe in the absence of regular skipper Richard Ngarava, who continues to recover from a back problem. Bennett has an experienced batting line-up under his command, including former ctains Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor, while Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani are all expected to feature in the series. Zimbabwe’s pace attack will have to do without Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga but has Blessing Muzarabani at its disposal, alongside Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu, who has played one Test, and the uncped Ernest Masuku.
Legspinner Graeme Cremer, the third 40-year-old in the side after Ervine and Taylor, has been recalled. Cremer has not played a Test in almost nine years after last featuring for Zimbabwe in a day-night Test in South Africa in December 2017, but has been part of Zimbabwe’s recent white-ball sides and has experience in the UAE, where he has lived for several years. Cremer, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza and Naqvi make up the spin oons.
As recently as June this year, Zimbabwe Cricket was awaiting confirmation that he could represent Zimbabwe but mentioned recently on Wednesday that he has been cleared to play. Brian Bennett (ct), Antum Naqvi, Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere Cremer also returns to the Test fold after close to nine years, with Bennett set to lead the squad in Ngarava’s absence Antum Naqvi scored 300 not out in just 295 balls, Matabeleland Tuskers vs Mid West Rhinos, Logan Cup, Harare, January 12, 2024 Cremer also returns to the Test fold after close to nine years, with Bennett set to lead the squad in Ngarava’s absence Cremer also returns to the Test fold after close to nine years, with Bennett set to lead the squad in Ngarava’s absence
