Zimbabwe football is one of the most followed and supported sports in the country and whilst the sport was being internationally banned many people turned their eyes to Cricket, Rugby, Netball, Swimming and other sports activities.

Raza We Cremora was one of the people who gave many Zimbabweans hope to believe in the country’s cricket team that it will return to it’s golden days.

Last year in cricket, it was the year of Raza as he became the player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup Qualifer B in July last year.

He also won player of the match thrice and not forgetting Zimbabwe’s win over Pakistan.

Raza became Zimbabwe’s leading scorer with 735 runs. The ICC named him part of the 2022 Men’s T20I Team of the year and Men’s ODI Team of the Year.

Back home, after two weeks the Ireland and team Zimbabwe ended up their ODI match with the unexpected results due to nature. The decider match was meant to be played in Harare but due to heavy rains it was abandoned.

The match was seen as a breaker as both teams had won 1-1. During the match, three changes were made in team Zimbabwe whereby Craig Ervine and Luke Jongwe made a return into the squad along with Brandon Mavuta.

Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat, whilst the first collabo was between Chibhabha and Innocent Kaila. It wasn’t a good day for Chibhabha as he was out and was replaced by Ervine whose partnership with Kaila went well as the score was 55 for one off 13 overs.

As there were no results the ODI series was therefore shared with one victory each.

Currently team Zimbabwe is preparing to clash with West Indies in Bulawayo who jetted in the country. The two teams will face off each other in two five day match at Queens Sports Club starting in February.

However, a warm up match against Zim A at BAC will be held on January 28.

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a Zimbabwe XI side that will face the West Indies in a three-day warm-up match ahead of the Test series in Bulawayo.

The 15-man Zimbabwe XI squad includes five players with Test caps in Donald Tiripano, Carl Mumba, Timycen Maruma, Wessly Madhevere and Milton Shumba.

Players enjoying good form in the Logan Cup – among them Tapiwa Mufudza, Joylord Gumbie, Kudzai Maunze, Tanunurwa Makoni and Priviledge Chesa – have also been selected.

After the warm-up game, Zimbabwe will face the West Indies in two Test matches at Queens Sports Club, also in Bulawayo

The first Test is scheduled for 4-8 February, with the second pencilled in for 12-16 February.

Here is the list for Zimbabwe’s XI squad for three-day match versus West Indies:

Akram Faraz, Chesa Priviledge, Chivanga Tanaka, Gumbie Joylord, Madhevere Wessly, Makoni Tanunurwa, Maruma Timycen, Mashinge William, Maunze Kudzai, Mufudza Tapiwa, Mumba Carl, Munyonga Tony, Shumba Milton, Tiripano Donald and Tsiga Tafadzwa

West Indies in Zimbabwe Match Schedule:

*Warm-Up: 28-30 January, Bulawayo Athletic Club
10.00 am (CAT)

*1st Test: 4-8 February, Queens Sports Club
10.00 am (CAT)

*2nd Test: 12-16 February, Queens Sports Club
10.00 am (CAT)