BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Nick Welch will aim to resurrect his career through a Zimbabwe Emerging side set to host their South African counterparts at the end of the month.
South Africa Emerging XI will arrive in Bulawayo on 30 July for two four-day and three one-day games, all at Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
SportsCast has gleaned the 15-man squad for the two four-dayers, with 26-year-old batsman Welch the most prominent on the list.
The former Leicestershire batter hasn’t settled well in international cricket after leaving the English county circuit and retaining home to play for Zimbabwe.
Other internationally-capped players in the Stephen Mangongo-coached side are Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Tapiwa Mufudza and Carl Mumba.
Ronak Patel and Ryan Kumwemba – who played for Zimbabwe at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year – are also included.
Meanwhile, Belgium-born Antum Naqvi has also been selected after attempts to cap him during India’s recent tour of Zimbabwe failed.
The 25-year-old batter – who was raised in Australia and is of Pakistani and Indian heritage – had been included in Zimbabwe’s squad for the five-match T20I series. He didn’t play a part, with reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) communicated its dissatisfaction with the process of Naqvi’s naturalisation as a Zimbabwean citizen.
Naqvi has not been resident in the African country for the prescribed period to acquire citizenship.
ZIMBABWE EMERGING SQUAD
Emmanuel Bawa, Alistair Frost, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Ryan Kumwemba, Kudakwashe Macheka, Brandon Mavuta, Nyasha Mayavo, Tinashe Muchawaya, Tapiwa Mufudza, Carl Mumba, Antum Naqvi, Ronak Patel, Arinesto Vezha, Nick Welch.
