Staff Writer 
THE Zimbabwe Chevrons will play the Netherlands today and Oman on Thursday in T20 World Cup preparatory matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The warm-up fixtures have been lined up to help the team acclimatise to the humid, spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup, being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, which will run from 7 February to 8 March.
Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the side, continuing his leadership role as Zimbabwe look to make a strong impression on the global stage.
Continuity is a defining feature of the selection, with fit-again fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani the only addition to the squad that competed in the T20I triangular series in Pakistan in November, which also featured Sri Lanka.
Muzarabani will lead the charge alongside left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava, while Bradley Evans and Tinotenda Maposa provide additional depth to the fast-bowling arsenal.
The spin department, featuring a blend of experience and skill, includes the recalled veteran Graeme Cremer partnering with Wellington Masakadza, ensuring Zimbabwe has the controls necessary to thrive on spin-friendly surfaces.
Zimbabwe’s batting line-up merges youthful talent with seasoned experience, boasting promising young stars like Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, who are eager to make their mark in cricket’s biggest arena.
Wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor brings invaluable experience and calmness to the top order, while all-rounder Ryan Burl adds significant power-hitting capability and leg-spin.
Grouped in Group B for the World Cup, Zimbabwe will face formidable opponents such as Australia, Ireland, Oman, and co-hosts Sri Lanka. The top two teams from the group will proceed to the Super Eight stage, raising the stakes for the Chevrons in their quest for T20 glory.
Zimbabwe’s campaign kicks off against Oman at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Saturday, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Australia at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 13.
The team will then head to Kandy to take on Ireland on February 17, before concluding their group stage against Sri Lanka once again at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 19.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD – ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026:
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
By Sandra Hove
