ZIMBABWE'S preparations for the upcoming T20 International tri-series in Pakistan have been dealt a major blow with the news that pace spearhead Blessing Muzarabani will miss the tournament due to a back injury.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed the experienced seam bowler was missing from the 15-man squad announced yesterday for the series, which also includes hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Muzarabani's absence creates a hole in the bowling attack, given his impressive record of 93 wickets from 80 T20 Internationals.
His ability to extract bounce and bowl yorkers at pace will be sorely missed as the team commences its vital build-up to next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Filling the large shoes of the 29-year-old Muzarabani will be the promising 19-year-old seamer, Newman Nyamhuri, who is poised to make his T20I debut.
The left-arm medium-fast bowler has already impressed in other formats, having earned four Test caps for his country and taken six wickets, while also featuring four times in ODI cricket with three wickets to his credit.
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Nyamhuri’s inclusion is the only change from the squad that recently suffered a 3-0 T20 series whitewash against Afghanistan in Harare.
The squad, led by captain Sikandar Raza, sees the continued inclusion of veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer.
The 39-year-old had been recalled for the recent series against Afghanistan but was not used, with coach Justin Sammons preferring Wellington Masakadza at the time.
Cremer, who only recently returned from retirement, could finally complete his international comeback with an appearance in the sub-continent.
There is, however, still no room for Ben Curran, despite the batsman’s solid form in other formats.
Curran, whose elder brothers Sam and Tom represent England, has expressed his desire to earn a chance in T20 cricket, but remains on the outside looking in for the shortest format of the game.
Zimbabwe will open its campaign against hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi on November 17, before facing Sri Lanka two days later.
Its remaining round-robin fixtures are scheduled for Lahore on November 23 (vs Pakistan) and November 25 (vs Sri Lanka), with the top two teams contesting the final on November 29.
The series will be a stern test for the new-look pace attack, which includes teen star Nyamhuri.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR T20I TRI-SERIES VS PAKISTAN & SRI LANKA: Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor