Ben Curran receives first international call-up for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has named Ben Curran and Newman Nyamhuri in their squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Afghanistan, which will begin on December 11. Both players are receiving their first call-ups to the national team.

Ben Curran, a left-handed batter, is 28 years old and the middle brother of England cricketers Sam and Tom Curran. He is also the son of former Zimbabwe international and coach, Kevin Curran. Ben represented Northamptonshire until 2022 before moving to Zimbabwe, where he spent much of his childhood. This season, Curran has been in excellent form, topping the run-scorer charts in both the Pro50 List A competition and the first-class Logan Cup. He recently made himself available for selection and has been called up for the ODI series only.

Newman Nyamhuri, an 18-year-old left-arm quick bowler, impressed during the 2024 men's U-19 World Cup, where he was Zimbabwe's highest wicket-taker. He has also done well in his List-A outings for Southern Rocks, including a standout performance last week where he took 4 wickets for 43 runs. Nyamhuri is included in both the T20I and ODI squads.

The selection committee has made some changes from the previous squad that played against Pakistan. Faraz Akram, Brandon Mavuta, and Clive Madande have been left out, while Victor Nyauchi returns to the ODI squad. Opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano is set to make his T20I debut. Akram remains in the T20I squad.

The series will begin with the first T20I on December 11, followed by two more T20Is on December 13 and 14. The ODI series will start on December 17 and continue on December 19 and 21, all of which will be held in Harare. After the white-ball matches, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will play a two-match Test series in Bulawayo from December 26.

Zimbabwe Squads for Afghanistan Series:

T20I squad: 
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri.

ODI squad:
Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.