Zimbabwe has named Pakistani-origin cricketer Antum Naqvi in their national squad for the upcoming T20I series against India. The 25-year-old top-order batter’s inclusion is subject to confirmation of his citizenship status.
Naqvi, who gained prominence by becoming the first player to score a triple century for any Zimbabwean team in representative cricket, achieved an unbeaten 300 for Mid West Rhinos in the Logan Cup and captained them in his second year of Zimbabwean domestic cricket. He boasts a strike rate of 146.80 in seven T20 matches.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, to Pakistani parents, Naqvi moved to Australia at the age of four and earned a commercial airline pilot’s license before putting his aviation career on hold to pursue cricket.
Naqvi follows in the footsteps of Sikandar Raza, another Pakistani-origin player, who is leading the Zimbabwe team in the series.
Naqvi was also part of the Lahore Qalandars’ player development program for the Queen series in Australia.
It is notable that Zimbabwe did not qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024.
Zimbabwe and India will play five T20I matches from July 6 to 14.
Zimbabwe Squad:
- Sikandar Raza (captain)
- Faraz Akram
- Brian Bennett
- Johnathan Campbell
- Tendai Chatara
- Luke Jongwe
- Innocent Kaia
- Clive Madande
- Wessly Madhevere
- Tadiwanashe Marumani
- Wellington Masakadza
- Brandon Mavuta
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Dion Myers
- Antum Naqvi
- Richard Ngarava
- Milton Shumba
