Zimbabwe name inexperienced squad for Test series against Pakistan

Zimbabwe opt for youth in Test series

Zimbabwean batsman Sean Williams batting against South Africa
File pic. Cape Town-181006- Zimbabwean batsman Sean Williams batting against South Africa in the 3rd ODI match at Boland Park cricket stadium. .Photographer:Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)

JOHANNESBURG, April 27 (ANA) – Zimbabwe on Tuesday announced a 16-man squad with five uncapped players for their Test series against Pakistan, in Harare, later this week.

The two-match series begins on Thursday in the Zimbabwean capital.

Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Roy Kaia, Milton Shumba, and Tanaka Chivanga have all been given their maiden Test call-ups.

Jongwe comes into the squad on the back of a strong performance in the recently concluded T20I series, in which he was the leading wicket-taker for Zimbabwe with nine wickets.

In a huge boost for the hosts, Brendan Taylor has been recalled to the squad after missing out on  Zimbabwe’s last Test series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates because of health issues.

Zimbabwe will be without Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere; Ervine is out with a calf injury while Madhevere, who scored a half-century in the final T20I is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

All-rounder Sikandar Raza continues to miss out as he receives treatment for a bone marrow infection.

Also in the squad is Tendai Chisoro, who has been out of action since his Test debut in 2017, while Joylord Gumbie and Takudzwanashe Kaitano have been placed on standby.

Pakistan claimed the three-match T20 International series, also in Harare, 2-1 with victory in the final game on Sunday.

Zimbabwe squad: Sean Williams (c), Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chisoro, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke Jongwe, Roy Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman