ICC Approves Ben Curran As Brendan Taylor Replacement In Zimbabwe T20 World Cup Squad
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Ben Curran as a replacement for Brendan Taylor in Zimbabwe’s squad. Taylor has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a right hamstring injury during Zimbabwe’s match against Oman on February 9.
As per tournament regulations, any squad replacement must receive formal approval from the Event Technical Committee before being added officially. The decision was confirmed on Friday, clearing the way for Curran to join the squad for the remainder of the competition.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza had earlier confirmed Taylor’s injury while speaking after losing the toss against Australia in their second match. He stated that Taylor had been ruled out of the tournament. In Taylor’s absence, Tony Munyonga returned to the playing XI and took up wicketkeeping duties.
Taylor had been in solid form prior to the setback. During the Oman match, he walked in after Zimbabwe lost two quick wickets and stitched a crucial 68-run partnership with Brian Bennett. However, he suffered a hamstring strain while batting and retired hurt after scoring 31 runs. Visuals showed him limping off the field, raising immediate concerns.
One of Zimbabwe’s most experienced players, Taylor featured in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Across 59 T20 Internationals, he has amassed 1,216 runs, including one century and six half-centuries. Since returning to international cricket in 2025 after a four-year gap, Taylor had shown consistent form, scoring 251 runs in 13 matches last year, including his maiden T20I century.
His absence will be a significant blow to Zimbabwe’s campaign.
Our Thoughts
Brendan Taylor’s injury is undoubtedly a setback for Zimbabwe, especially given his experience and recent form. In high-pressure tournaments like the T20 World Cup, seasoned campaigners often provide stability during crunch moments. Ben Curran now steps into a challenging role, with expectations high as Zimbabwe look to stay competitive in the group stage. How effectively the team adapts to this change could shape their World Cup journey in the coming matches.