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[Saba Sports News] Ahead of their opening T20I against Ireland, Zimbabwe’s cricket team has faced a setback with key batter Craig Ervine being sidelined due to an injury sustained during training. Ervine, a significant contributor in Zimbabwe’s T20I history, will miss the series that commences on December 07 at Harare Sports Club. His absence will be filled by 28-year-old Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, who has accumulated 214 runs in ten T20Is.
Ervine, with 1349 runs from 64 innings, stands as Zimbabwe’s fourth-highest run-scorer in T20Is, averaging 22.48 and striking at 105.88, including eight fifties. In 2023, the 38-year-old has maintained solid form in T20Is, scoring 217 runs across nine innings with a 27.12 average and 107.96 strike rate.
Ervine’s experience of over 13 years will be greatly missed by Zimbabwe in their series against Ireland. The team management is hopeful for his recovery before the ODI series starting December 13, where his impressive performance this year, with 395 runs from 11 ODIs, will be crucial.
The rivalry between Ireland and Zimbabwe in T20Is has been evenly matched, with both teams claiming six victories each in their 12 encounters. Out of three series played between them, each team has won once, and one ended in a draw. The upcoming series is anticipated to be another closely contested battle, with both nations eager to clinch the three-match series victory.