Zimbabwe Announces Squad For Pakistan Tests Series, Luke Jongwe Included, Brendan Taylor Recalled

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced their 16-man squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan, which starts from April 29, 2021. The squad sees the inclusion of five uncapped players including the hero of the recent T20I series Luke Jongwe being named amongst them.

Zimbabwe will play two Tests, both at the Harare Sports Club, with the first starting on April 29 and the second one on May 7. The two teams recently played a three-match T20I series in which Pakistan managed to win 2-1, but not before Zimbabwe created history by defeating Pakistan in the second T20I, their first-ever victory in T20Is over the Men in Green in 16 tries.

Zimbabwe Recalls Brendan Taylor For Test Series, Includes Five Uncapped Players

The Zimbabwe team sees the return of batsman Brendan Taylor to the Test side. Taylor had not featured in Zimbabwe’s previous series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates due to ill health, but provides some much-needed experience, especially in the absence of middle-order batsman Craig Ervine, who has a calf injury.

Pakistan-born all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who has also been a stalwart of the middle order in recent years, misses out as he receives treatment for a bone marrow infection. Sean Williams will captain the Zimbabwe team.

The five uncapped players are all-rounders Luke Jongwe and Roy Kaia, left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava, top-order batsman Milton Shumba and fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga, who at the age of 27 has only played three first-class matches to date.

The squad also marks the return of Tendai Chisoro, who last played a Test way back in 2017. Four players – Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Richmond Mutumbami, and Brandon Mavuta – who were a part of the recently concluded series against Afghanistan, were not chosen.

Joylord Gumbie and Takudzwanashe Kaitano have been placed on standby for the series which will be held behind closed doors in Harare. The first Test starts on April 29.

Zimbabwe Test squad for the Pakistan series:

Sean Williams (captain), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chisoro, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano.

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