Sikandar Raza takes over as Zimbabwe T20I captain

Sikandar Raza has been appointed Zimbabwe's T20 International (T20I) captain following their 3-2 series loss against Namibia recently. Raza will lead the side in the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, set to be held in Namibia from November 22 onwards. Two teams will progress to the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the USA and West Indies in June next year.

Craig Ervine will continue as the team's One-Day International (ODI) and Test captain.

Ervine was Zimbabwe's most successful T20I captain, having won 54% of the 38 games in charge. Raza has led Zimbabwe in the format on five occasions - all of it in an interim capacity. Davie Houghton will continue as the head coach and has further been included in the selection panel along with former skipper Elton Chigumbura. Former fast bowler David Mutendera will remain as the convenor.

Zimbabwe toppled Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Australia last year but finished at the bottom of their group and as a result, did not secure an automatic qualification for the tournament. They were not allowed to participate in the T20 World Cup 2021 as Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) was banned due to government interference.

Along with Zimbabwe and hosts Namibia, five other teams - Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will compete in the African Qualifiers. Raza's first task will be to ensure that his team finishes in the top two in the seven-team event.