Daijiworld Media Network- Bulawayo

Bulawayo, Sep 9: Zimbabwe will host Namibia in a three-match T20I series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo as preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the fixtures will be played on September 15, 16 and 18, just days before the regional final event scheduled in Harare between September 26 and October 4. A total of eight teams will feature in the regional qualifier, with the top two sides booking their tickets to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe head coach Justin Sammons said the matches against Namibia would serve as the perfect build-up for his team. “It’s important that we build on the positives from the Sri Lanka series, and facing Namibia will give us exactly the kind of contest we need before the qualifier. They are a quality side and have been consistent in this format, so these games will demand our very best. For us, it’s about refining our plans, getting combinations right, and ensuring we go into the qualifier confident and battle-hardened,” Sammons noted.

Zimbabwe have retained the same 15-member squad that recently lost a closely fought T20I series 2-1 to Sri Lanka. The team will once again be led by Sikandar Raza, with senior pros Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor and Blessing Muzarabani adding experience to the group.

Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams.