Cricket

Zimbabwe has unveiled its 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup regional qualifiers in Kenya, featuring two uncapped players: allrounder Tashinga Musekiwa and fast bowler Tinotenda Maposa. The team, led by experienced Sikandar Raza, aims to secure a spot in the main tournament in 2026.The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with an average age of 26. Musekiwa, 24, has limited T20 experience but has impressed in domestic cricket. Maposa, 21, has shown promise in first-class matches.Fast bowler Trevor Gwandu returns to the side after a brief absence. He last played for Zimbabwe in December 2023 and has since performed well in domestic competitions.Zimbabwe's head coach, Justin Sammons, expressed confidence in the young squad's ability to qualify. "We have picked a young squad that is good enough to make us qualify and I am confident they will deliver in Kenya," he said.The team will face competition from Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, and the Seychelles in the six-team qualifier. The top two teams will advance to the regional final, where they will join Namibia and Uganda.Zimbabwe's squad includes:* Sikandar Raza (captain)* Akram Faraz* Brian Bennett* Ryan Burl* Trevor Gwandu* Clive Madande* Wessly Madhevere* Tinotenda Maposa* Tadiwanashe Marumani* Wellington Masakadza* Brandon Mavuta* Tashinga Musekiwa* Blessing Muzarabani* Dion Myers* Richard Ngarava

Former South African fast bowler Charl Langeveldt has been appointed as the bowling coach of the Zimbabwe men's national cricket team. The appointment is part of a major overhaul of the coaching staff following Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup in 2023.Langeveldt, who has previously worked with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa, will join head coach Justin Sammons, assistant coach Dion Ebrahim, fielding coach Stuart Matsikenyeri, strategic performance coach Ravish Gobind, and strength and conditioning coach Curtly Diesel.The appointments were approved by the Mhishi Committee of Inquiry, which was formed to investigate Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup failure. The committee recommended a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, and the new appointments are expected to bring a fresh perspective and expertise to the team.Langeveldt is a highly respected bowling coach with a wealth of experience at the international level. He is known for his ability to develop and improve bowlers of all types, and he is expected to play a key role in helping Zimbabwe's bowlers reach their full potential.Matsikenyeri, who has been with the team as interim head coach, will now focus on his role as fielding coach. He is a former Zimbabwean batter with a wealth of experience, and he is expected to help improve the team's fielding standards.Sammons, who was appointed as head coach in May 2023, is a former South African cricketer with a strong track record in coaching. He is expected to lead the team to success in the upcoming T20I series against India and beyond.The new coaching staff will have their work cut out for them. Zimbabwe has struggled in recent years, and they will need to improve their performances if they want to qualify for the next T20 World Cup. However, with the experience and expertise of the new coaching staff, Zimbabwe has a good chance of turning things around.

Justin Sammons, a renowned South African cricket coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team. Sammons brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked extensively in South African cricket over the years. He will be assisted by former Zimbabwe international Dion Ebrahim.Sammons' appointment comes at a crucial time for Zimbabwe cricket, as the team has failed to qualify for three out of the last four World Cups. The new coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and help the team improve its performance on the international stage.Sammons has a proven track record of identifying, nurturing, and developing young talent. He has worked with several domestic sides in South Africa and was part of the South Africa men's technical team as batting consultant between 2021 and 2023."We are delighted to confirm Justin as head coach of the Zimbabwe senior men's national team," said Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani. "He brings a wealth of coaching experience and a reputation of identifying, nurturing and developing some of the best young talent in South Africa."Sammons expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach Zimbabwe. "I look forward to the road ahead and I am excited to start working with this talented group of players," he said.Dave Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, had served as the national team's head coach for 18 months before resigning after Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024. Walter Chawaguta, who coached Zimbabwe in 2008, took over as interim coach after that.Ebrahim, meanwhile, has represented Zimbabwe in 29 Tests and 82 ODIs between 2001 and 2005. He has been a part of the backroom staff with the New Zealand senior men's team more recently.The rest of the support staff for the Zimbabwe team will be appointed in consultation with Sammons. Elton Chigumbura, the former captain of Zimbabwe, has been appointed head coach of the nation's Under-19 team. Norbert Manyande and Paul Adams will serve as assistant and bowling coach, respectively.