Key points
- Cremer took seven-year break for golf
- Zimbabwe squad largely unchanged for Afghanistan series
- Sean Williams unavailable due to personal commitments
HARARE: Graeme Cremer is set to make a return to international cricket after a seven-year hiatus, having been named in Zimbabwe’s T20I squad for a three-match series against Afghanistan, starting on October 29.
The 39-year-old leg-spinner and former captain last played for Zimbabwe in 2018 before stepping away from the sport to focus on golf. He moved to the UAE, where his wife, Merna, works as an airline pilot.
Earlier this year, Cremer returned to Zimbabwe and resumed playing in club competitions, with the aim of making a national comeback.
Cremer had missed out on Zimbabwe’s squad for the Africa Regional Qualifiers, which secured the team’s place in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup. However, the selectors have now included him as Zimbabwe prepares for the global event.
The 15-member squad remains largely unchanged from the qualifying tournament, which Zimbabwe completed unbeaten, with Cremer replacing fast bowler Trevor Gwandu.
Personal commitments
Zimbabwe Cricket also confirmed that all-rounder Sean Williams remains unavailable due to personal commitments.
The series will be played entirely in Harare, which also hosted Afghanistan’s only Test match during their tour. The first T20I is scheduled for October 29, followed by matches on October 31 and November 2.
Looking ahead, the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 teams, likely between February and March.
Historically, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have met 18 times in T20 cricket, with Zimbabwe winning just two matches, while Afghanistan has claimed 16 victories.
Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), 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, and Brendan Taylor.
