THE sun could finally be setting on Vusi Sibanda’s international career after the top order batsman was yet again left out from the squad for the upcoming limited overs matches against Pakistan starting on September 27.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
A veteran of 124 ODIs since making his international debut 12 years ago, Sibanda was the notable absentee in the 16-man squad for the three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 Internationals.
Sibanda played in the homes series against India, but was not part of the squad for the New Zealand visit.
He missed the World Cup earlier this year, but travelled to Pakistan with the team.
Instead the selectors look to have settled for Richmond Mutumbami at the top of the batting order after the 26-year-old wicketkeeper batsman impressed in a similar role during the team’s practice matches.
The return of Mutumbami also means there is no place in the squad for Regis Chakabva, who had a disappointing series against New Zealand, scoring a paltry 16 runs in three ODIs and a one T20 match.
“The dynamic of the squad is made up of a calm and aggressive combination for the Pakistan series. It’s a squad based on building a performance-related culture and giving a platform to the younger future players to prove their ability,” said Zimbabwe Cricket convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl.
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Middle-order batsman Malcolm Waller makes a return after he was dropped following a poor ODI series against India in July, which Zimbabwe lost 3-0.
Waller has found a new lease of life after being recently cleared to bowl his offspin by the ICC and recently captained the Zimbabwe President’s XI during the Africa Cup T20 competition in South Africa.
Off spinner John Nyumbu who has played only one ODI for Zimbabwe this year was included to strengthen the spin bowling department which already had Prosper Utseya and Graeme Cremer.
The selectors named four seamers in the squad with Tinashe Panyangara and Christopher Mpofu retaining their places while Taurai Muzarabani and Neville Madziva have been recalled.
Muzarabani (28) has played in three T20s for Zimbabwe, but is yet to make his ODI debut.
Brian Vitori, who was part of Zimbabwe’s squad which toured Pakistan in March, however misses out.
Youthful all-rounder Luke Jongwe, who has not played for Zimbabwe since making his international debut last year, could add to his three ODI caps after being included in the squad.
The Pakistan national cricket team is expected in Harare on September 24 ahead of the first T20 on September 27.
The second T20 takes place on September 29 while the three ODIs have been slated for October 1, 3 and 5 respectively.
Zimbabwe Squad: Richmond Mutumbami, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, Tinashe Panyangara, Christopher Mpofu, Prosper Utseya, Taurai Muzarabani, Luke Jongwe, John Nyumbu, Malcolm Waller
