Three months after Graeme Cremer’s removal as captain, Zimbabwe Cricket has appointed Hamilton Masakadza to the post. The 34-year-old will lead the team in the triangular series against Pakistan and Australia.

Masakadza had previously captained the side during ICC World T20 in 2016. His predecessor, Cremer, was sacked from the role following the Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Zimbabwe will go into the T20I series – involving the two top-ranked teams in the format – without some of their most prolific performers as Cremer, Sikandar Raza, Brandon Taylor, and Sean Williams have pulled out of the competition due to the ongoing payment dispute between the board and the players.

This will be Lalchand Rajput’s first assignment as the Zimbabwe head coach. The Chevrons will take on Pakistan in the series opener on July 1. Each team will play every other team twice before the final match of the triangular series on July 8. Following the tournament, Zimbabwe will host Pakistan for a five-ODI series.

 

Zimbabwe T20I squad: Hamilton Masakadza (C), Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Wellington Masakadza, Brian Chari, Blessing Muzarabani, Solomon Mire, Tarisai Musakanda, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Ryan Murray, Kyle Jarvis.

 

T20I Tri-series Fixtures

Sunday, 1 July: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

Monday, 2 July: Pakistan vs Australia

Tuesday, 3 July: Australia vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, 4 July: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan