Raza to miss SA, Bangladesh tours

ALL-ROUNDER Sikandar Raza was the most notable omission yesterday when Zimbabwe announced their squads for the upcoming back-toback away tours to South Africa and Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe are scheduled to leave for South Africa later this month where they will clash with the Proteas in three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 International games.

The team then proceed to Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Tests running in November.

But, with most of the senior players who missed the recent home assignments against Australia and Pakistan back in the fold, Raza doesn’t feature in any of the four squads.

The all-rounder is currently involved in talks with the Zimbabwe Cricket leadership in a bid to convince them to renew his contract.

The 30-year-old remains one of Zimbabwe’s best players in all forms of the game. Raza is accused of flouting regulations by going to play cricket in foreign lands without first obtaining a no-objection certificate, as is the standard practice in the professional game, worldwide.

The cricketer opened negotiations with the leadership last week hoping for a quick resolution to the challenges.

ZC convenor Walter Chawaguta was not available for comment yesterday.

But the good news to coach Lalchand Rajput is the return of the likes of Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine who missed the recent tour by Australia and Pakistan because of a payment dispute.

The trio will, alongside captain Hamilton Masakadza, Chris Mpofu and Solomon Mire, provide Zimbabwe with the experience they need against one of the best cricket sides in the world.

Mire and pace bowler Kyle Jarvis have recovered fully from their injuries. There is no place, however, for former captain Graeme Cremer who recently underwent a knee surgery and is recovering under the watch of the medical team. Elton Chigumbura looked like he was nearing the twilight of his career but the selectors have given him another lease of life after he was named in the T20I and ODI squads for both tours. SOUTH AFRICA TOUR ODI Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura,

Zimbabwe

Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Murray, Tendai Chatara

Zimbabwe T20I Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Solomon Mire, Neville Madziva, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Christopher Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Chatara BANGLADESH TOUR ODI Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Tendai Chatara, Cephas Zhuwao

Zimbabwe Test Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Brian Chari, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, John Nyumbu, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara

Zimbabwe