Solomon Mire has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan, starting this Friday in Bulawayo, due to injury.
The 28-year-old explosive batsman sustained a gluteal tear last Friday during his magnificent innings of 63 versus Australia in the Twenty20 international (T20I) triangular series at Harare Sports Club.
Two days earlier, he had plundered a brilliant 94 – now the highest score by a Zimbabwe batsman in T20I cricket – against Pakistan.
Team physiotherapist Anesu Mupotaringa said Mire will be out of action for at least three weeks.
“He will be out for at least three weeks as he concentrates on physiotherapy rehabilitation which aims to speed up healing and make sure the tear heals without tight scar tissue formation,” Mupotaringa said.
Apart from Mire, Zimbabwe will also miss the services of fast bowler Kyle Jarvis, who is out for at least six weeks after he fractured his right thumb while fielding during the triangular series.
In the absence of the duo, Zimbabwe will be banking on the experience of captain Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Chamu Chibhabha, Malcolm Waller and the returning Tendai Chatara when they take on Pakistan in the five-match ODI series.
Peter Moor, Tarisai Musakanda and Brian Chari will be eager to impress with the bat, while pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani will be expected to have a big say with the ball, alongside spinners Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Masakadza.
Former Zimbabwe Under-19 captain Liam Roche, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Ryan Murray have been included in the squad and are in line for their debuts.
The ODI series gets underway this Friday at Queens Sports Club, with the rest of the matches scheduled for 16, 18, 20 and 22 July at the same venue.
Zimbabwe ODI squad: Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Wellington Masakadza, Peter Moor, Ryan Murray, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Liam Roche, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller