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Sports Reporter
The Zimbabwe cricket team are expecting the trio of captain Hamilton Maskadza, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza Butt to join the training squad early next week as they intensify preparations for the upcoming visit by India.

Masakadza and compatriot Williams have been playing limited overs cricket in Bangladesh while Butt was away in Pakistan on a personal visit.

The trio were notable absentees when the 30-member squad started practice games during the week in Harare to fine tune their techniques ahead of the trip by India.

The players were put into two sides — one under head coach Dav Whatmore and the other under bowling coach Makhaya Ntini — and more practice games will be played next week.

Zimbabwe Cricket convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl said the players have been working on their physical fitness and are expecting to have a full house starting next week as they take their preparations a step up with game situations.

“These guys have been training their physical fitness and the coaches believe they are getting better and better. We are now getting into the game situation. You need to be in the middle to see how you are progressing.

“So we have arranged three practice games in Harare and the coaches are looking at the possibility of having another training camp in Bulawayo where they can also play one or two practice games.”

Zimbabwe will host India from the June 8-23 for a tour that will have three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches.

Zimbabwe practice squad

Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Trevor Garwe, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Peter Joseph Moor, Tapiwa Mufudza, Natsai M’shangwe, Kudakwashe Munyede, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tarisai Musakanda, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano and Malcolm Waller.