Taylor, Williams Return to Zimbabwe's T20I Squad for Sri Lanka Series

Taylor, Williams Return to Zimbabwe's T20I Squad for Sri Lanka Series

Zimbabwe have announced their 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, with veteran cricketers Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams making their much-anticipated returns to the shortest format.

Taylor, who recently completed a three-and-a-half-year ban imposed by the ICC in 2022, is back in the T20I fold for the first time since April 2021. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter made his international comeback in August during the Test series against New Zealand in Bulawayo, and later featured in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. His return is seen as a major boost to Zimbabwe's batting lineup ahead of a crucial period in their cricketing calendar.

Also making his comeback is Sean Williams, who last played a T20I in May 2024. Williams, one of Zimbabwe's most reliable all-rounders, adds depth and experience to the squad as they prepare for the ICC Africa regional qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup later this month. Zimbabwe will need to finish in the top two among teams like Namibia, Uganda, and Kenya to secure a place in the global tournament, having missed out on qualification for the 2024 edition.

Fast bowler Brad Evans and top-order batter Tadiwanashe Marumani also return to the squad, having missed Zimbabwe’s last T20I action — a tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand in July.

Notably, Newman Nyamhuri, Wessly Madhevere, Vincent Masekesa, and Tafadzwa Tsiga have been left out of the squad that featured in the tri-series.

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have previously met in six T20Is, with their last encounter taking place in January 2024. Sri Lanka edged the series 2-1, despite a spirited Zimbabwean win in the second match.

The three-match series will be played in Harare, as Zimbabwe continue to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the regional qualifiers.

Zimbabwe’s T20I Squad vs Sri Lanka:

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