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Zimbabwe men’s cricket head coach Justin Sammons and the selectors are set to release the names of his squad for the upcoming 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier B in Kenya later this month.
The Chevrons are suffering the ignominy of their shocking failure to qualify for the last edition and poor ranking by having to start at the sub-regional level. For a Test side, this is, by any measure, shoddy.
However, these are the cards dealt, and the reality is what it is.
The squad will be released this week, and a lot will be said.
Much has been said about the big three Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine. Zimbabwe’s purple patch under Dave Houghton largely relied on their form.
But Father time is what it is. While Raza is still the captain and has shown unrelenting qualities, Williams has announced his retirement from the format. There have been murmurs about asking him to return to the game after his exploits in the NPL T20 Blast, where he led his Rangers side to victory. However, he just turned 38, and by the time the next tournament comes around, he will be 40.
Ervine is 39, and when the World Cup comes knocking, he will be 41.
Sure, there can be arguments around how they could help Zimbabwe qualify, but in reality, can the team afford to carry three 40-year-olds?
Zimbabwe has a perfect opportunity with this Qualifier. They face Seychelles, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya and Gambia.
If they start with a young, hungry side, they could end up with a side with many minutes in its locker come 2026 and, ultimately, the big one in 2027.
The approach also provides risk for some players outside the big three. Could the selectors be tempted to hand Tinashe Muchawaya his debut after his exploits in the just-ended Zim Afro T10?
Also, some impressive performers in the team went to the United Kingdom. Could some of those be in there outside the obvious names?
What is certain is that the selectors must seize this opportunity by the unmentionables and seek the future.
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