Chakabva to lead Zimbabwe for ODIs against Bangladesh in Ervine’s absence

Zimbabwe
Wicketkeeper-batter Regis Chakabva has been named Zimbabwe captain for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh with regular captain Craig Ervineruled out with hamstring and knee injuries. Allrounder Sean Williams will also miss the series, with Zimbabwe Cricket saying he had been granted leave to “attend to some personal matters”. Blessing Muzarabani, who missed the T20I series against Bangladesh with an injury, continues to remain unavailable.
Zimbabwe have also brought in fast bowler Brad Evans in place of the injured Tendai Chatara. Evans is yet to play an ODI, but was influential in Zimbabwe’s win in the third T20I, taking two wickets to hamper Bangladesh’s chase.
Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava returns to the ODI side, while quick Victor Nyauchi and left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza are also included. Masakadza was the third highest wicket-taker in last season’s Logan Cup (Zimbabwe’s domestic 50-over tournament) with 35 wickets in seven games while Nyauchi finished fourth on the list with 32 wickets in seven matches.
Allrounder Tarisai Musakanda and batters Tadiwanashe Marumani and Tony Munyonga have also been added to the squad. Musakanda, who has played 15 ODIs so far, last played for Zimbabwe in the format in 2021. Marumani made his debut in the ODI series against Bangladesh last year – where he scored 21 runs across three matches – and has not played in the format for Zimbabwe since. Munyonga, meanwhile, is yet to make his ODI debut.

Chakabva, who made his Zimbabwe debut in 2008, will lead the side for the first time.

“It is an honour, one that I will definitely cherish,” Chakabva said. “I am a cool, calm guy so I will try to be myself as I always am. A bit unfortunate to lose Craig, who I have learned a lot from. I don’t think I will do anything different from my normal character. I will try to rally the guys.”

While they have lost their last two ODI series, against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in January and June this year respectively, Zimbabwe have been on a roll in T20Is. They have won seven of their last eight T20Is, including an unbeaten qualification campaign that has earned them a spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. They followed that by beating Bangladesh in last week’s T20I series 2-1 – the first time Zimbabwe have won a T20I series against Bangladesh.

Chakabva said the ODIs would be a different prospect. “Bangladesh are a strong side. We have been playing some good cricket. We look forward to a good challenge with these guys. We expect to keep playing that way. The results will follow from that.

“Obviously, ODIs are a different challenge. You have to play well for longer. It won’t be a T20 in a one-day game. We are looking to play positive cricket for a longer period of time. Points or no points, it is still a big series for us. We are looking forward to be as challenging as we can. We have India and Australia after this, so in some way, it is just one preparation for us leading up to those series.”

The first ODI will be played on August 5, with the second and third to follow on August 7 and 10 respectively. All three matches will be played in Harare.

Zimbabwe squad: Regis Chakabva (capt), Ryan Burl, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tarisai Musakanda, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba

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