Afew key players are missing for Zimbabwe as they named their squad for the three-match T20I series against Ireland later in the month.

Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, Regis Chakabva and Milton Shumba miss out from Zimbabwe's T20I squad for the series that begins mid-January.

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The team has four changes from the squad that played the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia last year with the most notable one being the addition of former England player Gary Ballance, who recently signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe cricket to play domestic and international cricket.

Ballance was released from Yorkshire after a lengthy stint that began in 2007 and returned to Zimbabwe to represent his home country.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Zimbabwe Cricket and can't wait to start work with some great coaches and talented players," Ballance said at the time.

"The opportunity to represent Zimbabwe has given me a new-found passion and excitement for the game."

While Ballance's return is great news, Zimbabwe are missing star all-rounder Raza, who has been granted permission to play franchise cricket instead.

Muzarabani is still recovering from a quadriceps injury, but Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava are present to bolster the pace attack. 

The T20I series will be played in Harare with matches on January 12, 14 and 15.