All-Rounder Sikandar Raza Returns To Zimbabwe’s ODI Squad Against Ireland

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been named in the 15-member squad for the one-day international (ODI) series against Ireland. Zimbabwe will host a three-match ODI series, with the first match scheduled to take place at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Wednesday, January 18.

Sikandar Raza missed the recently concluded three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series win over Ireland after Zimbabwe Cricket allowed him to fulfil franchise cricket commitments. The 36-year-old returned to the line-up, which will boost the squad after all-rounder Sean Williams missed the series due to a finger injury and is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks.

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Raza has been brilliant in the white-ball game in 2022 and was nominated for the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI Player of the Year after finishing the year with 645 runs at an average of 49.61 and a strike rate of 87.16, including two fifties and three centuries. He scored two back-to-back against Bangladesh in Harare, where Zimbabwe won their first white-ball series since 2017. He is one of the four nominees along with Babar Azam, Adam Zampa, and Shai Hope.

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Gary Ballance missed the last two T20Is against Ireland due to a mild concussion. He has recovered and is ready to play his first ODI for the country of his birth. Ballance represented England in 16 ODIs between 2013 and 2015.

Former captain Chamunorva Chibhabha has been recalled to the team, which will boost their batting line-up. Leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta is back in the squad after a good performance in domestic cricket.

Zimbabwe Squad

Craig Ervine (captain), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Bradley Evans, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakazda, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza

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