Zimbabwe Squad For T20 Series vs India: Belgian-born Antum Naqvi Included in Sikandar Raza-Led Side

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Zimbabwe has provisionally named Belgian-born Antum Naqvi in the young squad that is set to face India in the upcoming five-match Twenty20 international (T20I) series in Harare, starting from Saturday (July 6).

The 25-year-old batter's inclusion, however, is subject to the confirmation of his citizenship status, having only declared recently of his desire to represent Zimbabwe in international cricket and has also applied for naturalisation.

Naqvi, who was born to Pakistani parents in Brussels, Belgium before moving to Australia, turned out for the Mid West Rhinos on the domestic front, and boasts a strike rate of 146.80 in the T20 format

With an aim to rebuild under new head coach Justin Sammons after failing to qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Zimbabwe have picked a young squad with an average age of 27 and a total of 558 T20I appearances.

Sikandar Raza, who has been named the skipper, is the team's most experienced playerat 38 and with 86 matches under his belt followed by 29-year-old Luke Jongwe who has featured in 63 games.

The other seasoned campaigners in the side are pace bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, aged 26 and 27 and with 52 and 51 T20I appearances respectively.

Zimbabwe has also handed a return to Tendai Chatara alongside Wessly Madhevere, Brandon Mavuta, Dion Myers, Innocent Kaia and Milton Shumba, while several players from the previous T20I outing have retained their spots.

Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Faraz Akram have been retained, but five of the players who were part of the away T20I series against Bangladesh in April have been omitted.

Meanwhile, veterans Craig Ervine and Sean Williams were not considered for selection as Ryan Burl, Joylord Gumbie and Ainsley Ndlovu also failed to make the cut in Zimbabwe's squad for the India series. Here is a look at the Zimbabwe Squad for T20 Series vs India:

Zimbabwe T20 Squad vs India 2024

Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Milton Shumba.

The five-match series, which begins on Saturday (July 6), will conclude a week later on Sunday (July 14). All the five matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. Here is a look at the schedule:

Zimbabwe vs India T20I Series Schedule