HARARE: Blessing Muzarabani, who had put his international career on hold, was named on Sunday in Zimbabwe’s 20-man squad — which will led by Chamu Chibhabha — for their tour of Pakistan later this month.

Muzarabani, who had signed a Kolpak deal in 2018 with Northamptonshire, decided to return to the international fold after he was released from the contract. The big fast bowler’s presence will provide a valuable boost to Zimbabwe’s squad, which will be missing the experienced Kyle Jarvis, who has been ruled out with a stress fracture.

Muzarabani, who debuted in 2017, has featured in one Test, 18 One-day Internationals and six Twenty20 Internationals, picking up 27 wickets.

Two uncapped players have also been added to the squad — 19-year-old left-hand batsman Milton Shumba and 27-year-old paceman Faraz Akram.

This will be Chibhabha’s first international assignment as full-time captain. Sean Williams was the captain during Zimbabwe’s last international assignment — a tour of Bangladesh earlier this year.

Chibhabha made his captaincy debut on that tour, taking over the duties with Williams sitting out, but has now been given the job full-time.

Squad: Chamu Chibhabha (captain), Faraz Akram, Ryan Burl, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wesley Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Carl Mumba, Richmond Mutumbami, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2020