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Zimbabwe will take on hosts Namibia in Match 5 of the Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Thursday, September 3. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM IST. It will be the second meeting between the two sides in the ongoing tri-series, with both teams having plenty at stake as they battle for a place in the September 6 final.
Zimbabwe have already demonstrated their ability to compete strongly in the tournament. Sikandar Raza’s side defeated Namibia in their previous meeting on August 31, while they also began their campaign with a win over South Africa. With Namibia playing at home, Zimbabwe will need another disciplined performance to maintain their advantage.
Raza is leading a 15-member squad that includes experienced players such as Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere and Blessing Muzarabani. Graeme Cremer has also returned to the national setup after recovering from injury, giving Zimbabwe another experienced spin option.
Here is the predicted playing XI of Zimbabwe for Match 5 of T20I Tri-Series 2026 against Namibia:
Brian Bennett is expected to open the innings.
The young all-rounder has become an important component of Zimbabwe’s T20I setup because of his aggressive batting and ability to contribute with the ball. His power-hitting makes him particularly dangerous during the Powerplay.
Against Namibia’s new-ball attack, Bennett’s ability to score quickly will be crucial. If he can provide Zimbabwe with a flying start, it will allow the experienced middle order to play with greater freedom.
Ben Curran is likely to partner Bennett at the top.
The left-handed batter provides a useful contrast to Bennett and can rotate the strike while also punishing loose deliveries. Curran’s ability to build an innings should complement Bennett’s attacking approach.
Zimbabwe will hope the pair can establish a solid foundation before the arrival of their middle-order power hitters.
Dion Myers should continue at No. 3.
The Zimbabwean batter offers stability while possessing enough attacking ability to accelerate during the middle overs. His role becomes particularly important if Zimbabwe lose an early wicket.
Myers can also contribute with the ball when required, giving Raza another tactical option.
Captain Sikandar Raza is expected to bat at No. 4.
Raza remains Zimbabwe’s most experienced all-rounder and one of their biggest match-winners. His ability to control an innings with the bat while contributing useful overs makes him central to the team’s plans.
The Windhoek conditions should suit his experience of assessing surfaces and match situations. Against Namibia, Raza will be expected to provide stability before accelerating towards the end.
Ryan Burl is likely to occupy the No. 5 position.
Burl is a powerful middle-order batter who can change the momentum of an innings quickly. His left-handedness also gives Zimbabwe variety against Namibia’s bowling attack.
He can be particularly effective against spin and will be expected to attack during the middle and death overs.
Wesley Madhevere should feature at No. 6.
The experienced Zimbabwe batter provides another reliable middle-order option. Madhevere can rotate the strike effectively and possesses the ability to find boundaries when the field spreads.
His off-spin could also provide Raza with another option if the captain needs additional bowling resources.
Tadiwanashe Marumani is expected to take the wicketkeeping duties and bat at No. 7.
Marumani’s ability to attack from the lower middle order makes him a useful component of Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. His presence also allows the team to maintain batting depth without compromising its bowling resources.
Behind the stumps, his performance will be important against Namibia’s aggressive batters.
Brad Evans should feature as the pace-bowling all-rounder.
Evans gives Zimbabwe a useful combination of seam bowling and lower-order hitting. His ability to bowl at different stages means Raza can use him according to match situations.
He could be particularly important at the death, when Namibia’s lower order looks to accelerate.
Graeme Cremer could return to the XI for the second meeting against Namibia.
The experienced leg-spinner is back in Zimbabwe’s squad after recovering from a left-arm injury that kept him out of recent assignments. His return provides Zimbabwe with another wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
Cremer’s variations could be particularly useful against Namibia’s left-handed batters.
Newman Nyamhuri is likely to retain his place in the bowling attack.
The young seamer provides pace and energy and can be used during the Powerplay or middle overs. His ability to attack the stumps will be important against Namibia’s top order.
Playing alongside experienced bowlers will also allow Nyamhuri to operate without carrying the entire burden of the attack.
Blessing Muzarabani should spearhead Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
The tall fast bowler provides bounce and genuine pace and remains one of Zimbabwe’s biggest threats with the ball. His ability to extract bounce from the Windhoek surface could make life difficult for Namibia’s batters.
Muzarabani will be particularly important with the new ball and during the death overs.
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani
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