Zimbabwe cricket has received a massive boost with the inclusion of veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor back in their T20I squad. Taylor hasn't played a T20I since April 2021 against Pakistan, and is now back nearly three years later after receiving a lengthy ban earlier this year.

Taylor is 38 years old and was suspended from all forms of the game back in 2022, as he did not report a corrupt approach in time. He has had his ban since August this year and gradually been reintegrated into to Zimbabwe unit, with him playing in a Bulawayo Test against New Zealand earlier this year and then taking part in an ODI series against Sri Lanka. Taylor is recalled in the T20I, where Zimbabwe is looking to bolster its squad prior to some important qualifying events.

Zimbabwe recall veterans for Sri Lanka T20I series

In addition to Taylor, another veteran, Sean Williams, also returns in T20I and last played a game in Zimbabwe's T20I against Algeria in May 2024, whereby he can also be expected to bring balance to the middle order. His comeback is also a timely inclusion as Zimbabwe prepares for the  Africa regional qualifiers later this month, where there are two spots for the T20 World Cup next year, 2026.

ALSO SEE: 3 reasons why IPL franchises need to bring back Keshav Maharaj

Zimbabwe could not secure a berth at the T20 World Cup 2024 after losing matches to Namibia and Uganda in the regional qualifiers. With experienced players such as Taylor, Williams, and captain Sikandar Raza on board, this time they will be looking to ensure they do not repeat failure. 

Zimbabwe's T20I squad vs Sri Lanka:

Sikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams.

It will be tough for Zimbabwe, as they face Sri Lanka, and of course, they have only faced the Sri Lankans six times previously in T20Is. Their last match-up was in January 2024, when they met for a three-match T20I series in which Sri Lanka won 2-1. With Taylor and Williams back in the fold, Zimbabwe supporters will be hopeful that they show more competitiveness this time around.

Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor is now set to make a return to ODI cricket, as the 39-year-old has been selected in Zimbabwe ODI squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Sri Lanka. 

Zimbabwe are ready to host a two-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 29. The T20I series will be crucial for both teams, as Zimbabwe are preparing for the 2025 Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, and Sri Lanka are preparing for the Asia Cup 2025. 

See Also: BCCI's 125cr deal with My11Circle set to be scrapped: Report

Brendan Taylor making ODI comeback, last played in September 2021

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are ready for their first ODI since last February, when they hosted Ireland and won that series 2-1. Captain Craig Ervine is ready to lead the Zimbabwe team, while Brendan Taylor has been selected for the ODI series. He is ready to make his ODI comeback after September 2021. In his ODI career, the right-handed batter has scored 6684 runs in 205 matches with an average of 35.55, including 11 centuries and 39 half-centuries. He is the second most ODI run-scorer for Zimbabwe, just 102 runs behind Andy Flower (6786 runs), but holds the record of most ODI and international centuries for his national team. 

Recently, Taylor made a comeback in international cricket after four years by completing his 3.5-year ban from the game after his spot-fixing involvement revelation. He featured in the second Test against New Zealand at home, where he scored 44 and seven runs, but the Chevrons lost by an innings and 359 runs. 

Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani are also returning to the Zimbabwe squad to make the bowling attack stronger. Zimbabwe are hoping for a much-needed luck change after their recent tough experiences against South Africa and New Zealand at home. 

Zimbabwe complete squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Trevor Gwandu, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Ernest Masuku, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams.

Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2025

ODI series

August 29: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

August 31: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

T20I series

September 3: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

September 6: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

September 7: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare

The former Zimbabwe captain, Brendan Taylor, is ready to return to international cricket during the second Test of the two-match home series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, after serving a three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code. His sanction ended on July 25 and will feature from August 07.

Taylor, who has 2320 runs in 68 red-ball innings, hasn’t played since retiring abruptly in September 2021. Due to his ban, he wasn’t even able to train with the national and domestic squads. However, he had facilities to practice with the elite interdependent school in Harare and has felt more fit than ever. His eyes will be on the upcoming New Zealand Tests. 

See Also: Star SRH player becomes new number one T20I batter in ICC rankings

‘He'll be available for the second Test. But I also know how hard he's worked in his capacity - especially over the last eight, ten [or] 12 months - for this to happen. I'm very excited to have him come back into the space in the next few days, and looking forward to what he has to contribute towards the team and the group.’ Zimbabwe captain, Craig Ervine, expressed.

Twitter reacts to Brendan Taylor’s comeback to Zimbabwe side after three-and-half year ban

‘I've been humbled properly. I look forward to really just adding value, which I probably didn't do to the best of my ability when I was there before.’ The veteran right-handed batter expressed, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. He has celebrated six centuries in the longest format, including the 105* against Bangladesh, after their six-year self-imposed ban was lifted in 2011.

Zimbabwe has already named the 16-member squad for the two games, where they have kept one first-choice wicket-keeper batter in Tafadzwa Tsiga, who started the opening game of the fixture. Taylore makes his return for the side in a busy period of seven Tests in the year. Even though he won’t feature for the T20 World Cup qualifiers, there is a strong expectation of him turning up for the home ODI World Cup 2027.

🚨 39-YEAR-OLD BRENDAN TAYLOR RETURNING TO CRICKET 🚨

- He is set to play the 2nd Test against New Zealand after serving a 3 & half year ban for the Breaching ICC Anti Corruption Code. [Espn Cricinfo] pic.twitter.com/hiX1m2gQgf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 30, 2025 

Brendan Taylor is scheduled to make a return. We are going to witness the greatest come back in the history of cricket 🥵🥵🔥😭 pic.twitter.com/HDIoM5CPk0

— Mayor Of You know What🌴 (@bxllyville) July 29, 2025

Here we Go. Brendan Taylor is back https://t.co/JD5X7jZfG1 pic.twitter.com/az3M9qjRaZ

— Sir Brendon Sann (@iamsirbreezy) July 29, 2025

Breaking

Brendan Taylor has joined the Zimbabwe National Men's Team in Bulawayo.

There is no confirmation on whether he will play or not, but I believe him being part of the team in Bulawayo is good enough to encourage others! pic.twitter.com/a7MaFGBnWc

— Chairman Bans (@The_Bans) July 29, 2025

Craig Ervine says he is excited to have Brendan Taylor back with the 🇿🇼🏏 test side. He expects BT's experience to be useful against NZ🇳🇿, although he is only available for the second test. pic.twitter.com/1PyLacCQXH

— Undisputed🎙️📺 (@Mr_Tich) July 30, 2025

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced the 16-member men's squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against New Zealand. The Chevrons have big names return to the Test squad, while Brendan Taylor's international cricket return has an interesting story. 

After the end of the ongoing T20I tri-series between Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, where New Zealand and South Africa will face each other in the Final on this Saturday (July 26) after the last two league stage games, Zimbabwe and New Zealand will play a two-match Test series. Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will host both the Tests, starting on July 30 and August 7. Both Tests will be the traditional five-day Test matches. It will be their first Test meeting since 2016, when the visitors won the two-match Test series in Zimbabwe by 2-0. As Zimbabwe aren't part of the ICC World Test Championship, the forthcoming Test series will not be a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

See Also: Kuldeep Yadav likely to ENG vs IND 4th Test: Report

Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza return to Test cricket

Craig Ervine will continue his Test leadership role, while Ben Curran and Sikandar Raza have returned to the Test squad. Ben Curran missed out on the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa due to a fractured hand, which he suffered during a warm-up game against South Africa. Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has returned to the Test squad after missing the home Test series against South Africa due to MLC 2025 commitment. Also, Roy Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni have returned to Test cricket, having played three and two Test matches, respectively. 

In the meantime, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Prince Masvaure, Wessly Madhevere, and Kundai Matigimu, who were present during the recently concluded home Test series against South Africa, have been left out of the squad for the upcoming home Test series. 

Zimbabwe complete squad for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams

Brendan Taylor likely to return to international cricket

On the other hand, the 39-year-old Bendan Taylor hasn't been named in the Test squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. His three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching the ICC anti-corruption code will end this Friday, July 25. According to ESPNcricinfo's report, Taylor is likely to make his international cricket comeback in the upcoming first Test against New Zealand, as he is likely to be added once his ban expires officially.