ZIMBABWE'S Chevrons have been handed a tough draw for their return to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, grouped alongside cricketing giants and co-hosts.
The African nation, making its seventh appearance in the tournament, will compete against 2021 winners Australia, 2014 champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, as well as full-member rivals Ireland and an ever-improving Oman.
The tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, marks Zimbabwe’s return to the global stage since the 2022 edition in Australia, having narrowly missed out on qualification for the previous event.
The draw ensures that all of Zimbabwe’s group matches set up a demanding campaign on familiar subcontinent pitches.
Captain Sikandar Raza and his team will open their campaign against Oman before facing a formidable test against 2021 champions Australia four days later.
They will then play rivals Ireland in their penultimate match before concluding the group stage with a high-stakes battle against co-hosts Sri Lanka.
All of Zimbabwe’s matches are set to be played across the three Sri Lankan venues: the Sinhalese Sports Club, R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
To progress to the next round, Zimbabwe must finish among the top two teams in their five-team group.
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Zimbabwe enters the global tournament with recent match experience against top-tier opposition, currently participating in a T20 Tri-Series in Pakistan involving the hosts and Sri Lanka.
The team has shown flashes of brilliance, including a decisive victory over the World Cup co-hosts. This momentum will be vital in navigating one of the tournament’s toughest groups.
At the heart of Zimbabwe's campaign is Raza, the world’s best all-rounder according to the latest ICC rankings. His form with both bat and ball, and his inspirational leadership, will be paramount.
He will be supported by a bowling unit that has consistently been the team’s strongest asset.
Seamers such as Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans, and the young Tinotenda Maposa provide a sharp edge, complemented by the spin options of Raza himself, veteran Graeme Cremer, and Wellington Masakadza.
However, concerns remain over the team's historic Achilles’ heel: batting frailty. The newly formed opening partnership of young duo Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani has shown promise, but Marumani’s inconsistency is a worrying factor.
Furthermore, the return of veteran batsman Brendan Taylor, at 39, following the conclusion of his three-and-a-half-year ban, has yet to translate into match-winning contributions batting at number three.
The form of middle-order batsmen Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa is also under the spotlight, even as finisher Ryan Burl has hit peak form with the bat lately.
The Chevrons will need their batting to click consistently to withstand the pressure from teams of the calibre of Australia and Sri Lanka.
With the Super 8 qualification on the line, the team faces a challenging but potentially rewarding period of cricket in the coming months.
A solid performance in the ongoing Tri-Series will be key to ironing out the kinks and building the confidence needed to spring a surprise in Group B.
Zimbabwe’s Group B fixtures
Zimbabwe v Oman (Feb 9 - SSC, Colombo)
Zimbabwe v Australia (Feb 13 - Premadasa, Colombo)
Zimbabwe v Ireland (Feb 17 - Pallekele, Kandy)
- Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka (Feb 19 - Premadasa, Colombo)
