ICC World Twenty20 Teams
After having missed on the opportunity to feature in the 2009 ICC World T20, Zimbabwe will be relishing the opportunity to take part in the ICC World Twenty20 2010.
In July 2008, Zimbabwe, under pressure from South Africa and England over political matters related to Robert Mugabe, pulled out of the tournament of their own volition, creating an additional space for an associate nation. Qualification was achieved by the finalists of ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier held in Belfast in August, between Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada and Bermuda. Ireland and the Netherlands, having reached the final, qualified outright, while Scotland won the third place playoff to qualify.
However, in the 2007 edition, Zimbabwe delivered one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition when they achieved a stunning victory over Australia. Zimbabwe upset Australia in its opening match of the championship in Cape Town, defeating them by five wickets. Brendan Taylor led the way for Zimbabwe, with first class wicket keeping (a catch, stumping and run out) and a crucial unbeaten 60 runs from 45 deliveries. He was man of the match. They, however, then lost to England by 50 runs, meaning they exited the tournament at the first stage due to their net run rate being inferior to both Australia and England after Australia beat England in the other group game.
Some of that side in 2007 still remains and the likes of Tatenda Taibu will be relied upon for runs, while Ray Price has established an excellent reputation in the short form of the game.
