NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe’s rising batting star Brian Bennett is expected to be the centre of attention in a seasoned squad captained by veteran Sikandar Raza for next month’s ICC T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group B, where they will face strong competition from Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Oman.

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The 22-year-old Bennett is set to spearhead the batting line-up after an impressive run in the ICC Qualifiers, where he consistently delivered under pressure.

In his last five T20I outings against Pakistan and Afghanistan, Bennett fell agonisingly short of half-centuries three times with scores of 49, 49 and 47.

He also crossed the 35-run mark once, with only a solitary single-digit score in that stretch. Overall, he owns a T20I strike rate of over 145 from 52 matches, featuring one century and nine fifties.

Captain Raza, along with former skipper Brendan Taylor, adds vital experience to the middle order, providing stability and leadership around the young batting core.

Zimbabwe’s bowling unit looks well balanced, with the pace pair of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava offering speed and bounce, while Graeme Cremer’s spin brings control and variety to the attack.

Squad:

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor

(With PTI Inputs)