By Zim Sport Live Writer
After years on the fringes of the national side, the Kaia brothers have been handed a fresh opportunity to revive their Test careers after being named in Zimbabwe’s squad for the one-off Test against Bangladesh which gets underway on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.
For Innocent Kaia, the selection marks a long-awaited return to the longest format after more than three years in the international wilderness.
The left-handed opening batter last played a Test for Zimbabwe in February 2023 against the West Indies in Bulawayo and has featured in only two Test matches to date.Innocent played a significant role in the Sourthen Rocks’ maiden double early this year.
In the Logan Cup, he had made 409 runs at 51.12 (including his highest first-class score of 176), but even that was overshadowed by his 500 runs at an average of 83.33 (strike rate 93) in the Pro50 Championship.
His elder brother Roy Kaia also returns to the Test fold for the first time since 2021, earning a recall on the back of consistent performances in domestic cricket over the past two seasons.
The inclusion of the Kaia brothers is among several notable selection decisions as Zimbabwe prepare for their first Test assignment of the year.
In-form all-rounder Wessly Madhevere has also been recalled after impressing on the domestic circuit, while experienced trio Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer and Craig Ervine bring a wealth of experience to the squad.
One notable absentee is Zimbabwe T20 captain Sikandar Raza, who is unavailable despite ending his lengthy absence from red-ball cricket last year.
Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava is set to captain Zimbabwe in a Test match for the first time in his career.
The pace bowler takes charge of a side that will be looking to build on last year’s impressive innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club.
The match, which starts on Sunday, marks Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket and offers an opportunity to continue their recent progress in the longest format against a Bangladesh side with a strong record in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Test Squad
Richard Ngarava (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Roy Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor and Tafadzwa Tsiga
