Follow the Chevron's T20 World Cup Dream

ICC-With new coach Dave Houghton at the helm and their recent white-ball form extremely good, expectations are high for Zimbabwe heading into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Squad:

Craig Ervine (c), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Sean Williams. Standby Players: Tanaka Chivanga, Innocent Kaia, Kevin Kasuza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Victor Nyauchi.

Best finish at tournament:

First round (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016)

Results in the last 10 games:

(Most recent first): W L W W W W W W L L

Fixtures:

v Ireland (October 17), Bellerive Oval, Hobart

v West Indies (October 19), Bellerive Oval, Hobart

v Scotland (October 21) Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Key match:

v Ireland (October 17) - If Zimbabwe are going to finish in the top two of their group and qualify for the Super 12 stage then they need to get off to a fast start against a talented Ireland team that will be keen to do the same. Former Zimbabwe captain and new coach Dave Houghton will have his troops ready for this clash and it is interesting to note that Ireland won a tight five-game series 3-2 when the two teams met prior to last year's T20 World Cup.

Key player:

Sikandar Raza - The star all-rounder is one of the form white-ball players in the entire world and the 36-year-old will need to fire if Zimbabwe are going to reach the Super 12 stage. Raza was named Player of the Tournament during Zimbabwe's unbeaten Qualifier B campaign and three ODI centuries during the month of August alone saw him become the first Zimbabwe player to claim ICC's coveted Player of the Month award. Raza also bowls some more than handy off-spin, so expect the veteran to shine with both bat and ball in Australia.

What Houghton says:

"We need to come in the top two for us to qualify for the next round," Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton told the Sunday Mail Sport.

"As far as I am concerned, we should be looking at winning that pool and I do not see anybody in that pool who we cannot beat on a good day.

"It is obviously the best squad that we can actually put together and the best players are back from injury and it is great to have them."