Zimbabwe have turned to experience for their final assignment of the year, recalling former captain Graeme Cremer for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan that starts in Harare on 29 October.
The 39-year-old leg-spinner last appeared for the national side in 2018 before moving to the UAE, swapping cricket for golf while his wife Merna pursued her career as an airline pilot. A return to club cricket in Harare earlier this year persuaded selectors he still possessed the control that brought him 211 international wickets.
Cremer is the only change to the XV that swept the Africa Regional Qualifier earlier this month. He replaces seamer Trevor Gwandu, with the rest of the group – led by Sikandar Raza – retained.
Explaining the decision, Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement: “Sean Williams remains unavailable as he continues to attend to personal matters.” The same release confirmed all three T20Is will be staged at Harare Sports Club on 29 and 31 October, and 2 November.
Cremer’s return offers an extra wrist-spin option on pitches that tend to grip. Zimbabwe will also want his tactical nous as they shape plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The squad blends experience and youth. Raza, Ryan Burl and Brendan Taylor shoulder the batting responsibility, while Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava lead the pace attack. Youngsters Brian Bennett and Tashinga Musekiwa keep their places after impressing in the qualifier.
Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
The 2026 tournament is pencilled in for February-March, leaving Zimbabwe a little over a year to settle combinations. Cremer now has the chance to add a fresh chapter to a career that once seemed closed.
