Zimbabwe Cricket Team Picks Antum Naqvi for India T20Is
Naqvi was born in Brussels, Belgium, to Pakistani parents, and moved to Australia when he was four\
Antum Naqvi Joins Zimbabwe Squad for T20 Series Against India
In an exciting development for Zimbabwe cricket, Antum Naqvi, a 25-year-old batter of Pakistani origin, has received his maiden call-up for the five-match T20I series against India. The series will be held in Harare from July 6 to 14. However, Naqvi’s inclusion in the squad is still subject to the confirmation of his citizenship status.
Naqvi, a talented top-order batter, made headlines at the beginning of the year when he became the first player to score a triple century for any Zimbabwean team in representative cricket. He achieved this remarkable feat by scoring an unbeaten 300 for Mid West Rhinos in the Logan Cup, a notable accomplishment in just his second year in Zimbabwean domestic cricket. Moreover, he captained the team, showcasing his leadership skills.
In T20 cricket, Naqvi boasts an impressive strike rate of 146.80 in seven matches, making him a valuable asset for the Zimbabwe squad. His journey to cricket has been unique. Born in Brussels, Belgium, to Pakistani parents, Naqvi moved to Australia at the age of four, where he earned a commercial airline pilot’s license. However, he decided to put his aviation career on hold to pursue his passion for cricket.
Naqvi’s inclusion in the Zimbabwe squad makes him the second cricketer of Pakistani origin to join the team, following in the footsteps of Sikandar Raza, who is leading the team in the series against India. Naqvi’s selection adds depth to the squad and provides another strong batting option.
Additionally, Naqvi has been a part of the player development program of Lahore Qalandars, a franchise in the Pakistan Super League. His experience in this program has further honed his skills and prepared him for international cricket.
Unfortunately, Zimbabwe did not qualify for the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2024. However, the upcoming series against India offers a great opportunity for the team to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience.
The Zimbabwe squad for the series includes: 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, and Milton Shumba.
