The Last Man Standing: Brendan Taylor Makes History with 2026 World Cup Call-Up
Written by Staff Reporter on January 6, 2026
HARARE – When the first ball of the inaugural ICC World T20 was bowled in South Africa back in 2007, a young, gritty Brendan Taylor was there to witness the birth of a new era. Today, nearly 20 years later, he stands alone as the bridge between generations.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) sent shockwaves through the sporting world this week by naming the 40-year-old veteran in their 15-man squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The selection marks a “full circle” moment for Taylor, who will become the only player from the 2007 tournament to feature in the 2026 edition.
Taylor’s inclusion is more than just a statistical anomaly; it is a story of redemption. After serving a three-and-a-half-year ICC ban that many thought would end his career, Taylor returned to the national fold in late 2025 with a renewed focus on fitness and sobriety.
While the squad, captained by the evergreen Sikandar Raza, features young stars like Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, it is the “old guard” that provides the spine. Alongside Taylor, veteran spinner Graeme Cremer has also retained his place, ensuring the Chevrons take a wealth of tactical experience to the subcontinent.
Zimbabwe has been placed in Group B, where they will face a familiar foe in Australia, along with Ireland, Oman, and co-hosts Sri Lanka.
As Taylor prepares to don the red jersey one more time, he isn’t just playing for runs—he’s playing for a legacy that has survived the test of time, scandals, and the evolving nature of the game itself.
Zimbabwe T20 World Cup Squad:
Sikandar Raza (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), 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.
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