Zimbabwe has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland, with a few key players missing from the team. Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, Regis Chakabva, and Milton Shumba will not be playing in the series, which begins on January 12 in Harare.

The team has four changes from the squad that played in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia last year, with the most notable addition being former England player Gary Ballance. Ballance recently signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe cricket to play both domestic and international matches and is excited to represent his home country. However, Zimbabwe will be without 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 have been included to bolster the pace attack. The T20I series will be followed by an ODI series, which will be played at the same venue on January 18, 21, and 23. The date for the second ODI has been moved from January 20 to 21.

Squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams