Taylor, Masakadza ruled out of UAE ODIs

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Zimbabwe will be without captain Hamilton Masakadza and star batsman Brendan Taylor when they take on UAE in the forthcoming four-match ODI series. Zimbabwe Cricket announced on Sunday (April 7) that the pair had not sufficiently recovered from injuries sustained in February. Peter Moor will lead the side in Masakadza’s absence.

Taylor tore his right calf muscle while playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League 2019. He has been out of competitive action since February 22. Captain Masakadza meanwhile is nursing a thumb injury sustained during a domestic match in February. “They have not recovered in time to play a part at least in the first two matches of the series against the UAE,” a ZC release said.

The uncapped pair of Ainsley Ndlovu and Tony Munyonga made the 16-man squad for the series, while Timycen Maruma and Regis Chakabva have returned following their lengthy absence from ODI cricket. The four-match series will be played in the backdrop of Cyclone Idai with heavy storms causing losses to life and property in eastern Zimbabwe.

This will the first time ever the UAE will play a Full Member country in a bilateral series. The first ODI gets underway on Wednesday (April 10) with subsequent games to be played on April 12, 14 and 16.

Squad:Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura