The ICC has approved Ben Curran as Brendan Taylor’s replacement in Zimbabwe’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Taylor sustained a right hamstring injury during Zimbabwe’s match against Oman on February 9, 2026, at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. The 40-year-old veteran was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
The replacement strengthens Zimbabwe’s batting lineup as they compete in Group B against Australia, Ireland, Oman, and Sri Lanka. Curran could make his T20I debut in Zimbabwe’s next match against Australia on February 13, 2026.
ICC Approves Curran as Official Replacement
The ICC Event Technical Committee confirmed the replacement on February 13, 2026. The committee is chaired by ICC General Manager Wasim Khan. Members include Gaurav Saxena, Hemang Amin, and former cricketer Shaun Pollock.
Curran is now eligible to play immediately. He joins Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad for the ongoing tournament hosted across Sri Lanka and India.
Taylor’s Injury During Zimbabwe’s Win Over Oman
Zimbabwe defeated Oman by 8 wickets in their Group B match on February 9. Captain Sikandar Raza described Taylor’s injury as potentially “serious” after the match.
The win boosted Zimbabwe’s tournament hopes. But losing Taylor removes a key middle-order stabilizer from the lineup. This is Zimbabwe’s first T20 World Cup appearance since 2022. The team aims to advance from the group stage.
Who is Ben Curran?
Ben Curran was born on June 7, 1996, in Northampton, England. He is now 29 years old. The left-handed batsman is the younger brother of England all-rounder Sam Curran and fast bowler Tom Curran.
His father is Kevin M. Curran, who played 11 ODIs and 3 Tests for Zimbabwe in the 1980s. Ben qualifies for Zimbabwe through his father’s heritage. He became eligible in 2024 after fulfilling residency and passport requirements.
Curran made his international debut for Zimbabwe in December 2024. He has played for Northamptonshire since 2018 and represents Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwean domestic cricket. He was selected for Zimbabwe’s Test squad against New Zealand in July 2025. He recovered from a fractured hand in 2025.
“Everyone’s got their own path,” Curran said in a 2025 interview about comparisons to his brothers.
Brendan Taylor’s Career and Recent Return
Brendan Taylor is a Zimbabwean cricket legend. Born on February 6, 1986, he has over 200 international matches and 11,000+ runs across formats. The right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper holds the record for most ODI centuries (11) for Zimbabwe. He captained the national team for several years.
Taylor announced retirement in 2021. He returned to cricket after a 3.5-year ICC ban ended in July 2025. The ban was for breaching the anti-corruption code. His experience was considered vital for Zimbabwe’s World Cup campaign. Some fans had questioned his selection over younger players like Curran.
Zimbabwe’s Updated Squad
Captain: Sikandar Raza
Players: Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.
No other replacements have been reported. Wessly Madhevere was rumored as an alternative option.
What This Means for Zimbabwe
Curran’s addition brings fresh batting depth to the squad. His aggressive style could provide new options in crucial matches. However, losing Taylor’s experience may affect Zimbabwe’s middle-order stability. The team must adapt quickly in a competitive group.
This marks another chapter in the Curran family’s cricket legacy. The brothers now represent different nations on the world stage. Zimbabwe’s next match against Australia will test the team’s ability to cope without Taylor. The tournament continues across venues in Sri Lanka and India through early March 2026.
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