Men’s National Team

The leadership pairing of skipper Amjad Sher and vice captain Nicholas Salonen are bursting with energy ahead of the August 2026 challenge in Finland at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup sub-regional qualifiers! The Finnish Bears are looking to make their mark at the event, which will see 10 European countries playing off for one spot at the 2027 T20 European regional finals, from there places at the 2028 T20 World Cup Finals. The on-field leadership pairing can hardly wait!

The Finnish Bears are gearing up for an action-packed 2026 season as they continue to drive the standards of national cricket onwards and upwards. The summer centerpiece is the major ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier C held right here in Kerava, where the team will look to use home-ground advantage on the road to global qualification. This high-stakes tournament is joined by a busy international schedule, including a dedicated T20I series against Cyprus in Cyprus from May 7th to May 10th.

The momentum continues into June as the Bears travel to Stockholm, Sweden, for the T20I Viking Cup from June 11th to June 15th, facing off against Sweden, Norway and Austria. Fans can also look forward to more international action at the Kerava National Cricket Ground from July 4th to July 6th, when the Men’s Bears host Portugal for an exciting three-day series.

To ensure the team remains on a positive trajectory, outside of intensive international summer schedule, the Bears will continue to follow a comprehensive winter training programme at the Eerikkilä Sports Academy, Playbox and at Kerava ja Sipoon Energia Areena. These world-class facilities will provide the squad with the perfect environment to refine their skills and maintain peak fitness throughout the off-season, keeping the Finnish Bears ready for the challenges of the years to come.

The Bears support team was extended during early 2024 with the excellent additions of Troy Faithfull as assistant coach, Geet Raju as data analyst and Albert Minthant as sports psychologist. These dedicated professionals joined the existing support team of bowling coach Gerard Brady, Strength & Conditioning coach Simon Dannapfel along with High Performance Director/Team Manager Andrew Armitage.

Bears support team has been actively managing preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 sub-regional qualifiers and other internationals. Cricket Finland has appointed Takudzwa ‘Taku’ Kusano as Head Coach of the Finnish Bears. Taku will oversee the preparation and continued professional development of the Finnish Bears until ICC Men’s T20 European qualifier C in August 2026 in Finland. Taku has a wealth of experience in professional coaching around 15 years, having worked in South Africa, India and in the Netherlands, where he is now based. Taku is currently Head Cricket Coach at Amsterdam Cricket Academy and is a great addition to the Team.

All Finnish Bears squad selections have been made by High Performance Director Andrew Armitage, Bears head coach Taku Kusano and Bears skipper Amjad Sher.