Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S senior men’s national cricket team embarks on their journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier B tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, this afternoon with a clash against the Seychelles.
The Chevrons’ participation in such a tournament starkly highlights the country’s declining cricket fortunes. They will become the first Full Member to participate in a sub-regional qualifier for a World Cup.
The forthcoming matches paint a grim picture. The Chevrons are now competing where they shouldn’t be, against minnows not just of African cricket but of world cricket overall.
Their opponents today are ranked number 91 on the ICC men’s T20I rankings, just five places above the unrated Chile, who sit at the bottom of the standings. They will then face the hosts, Kenya, in their second game of the tournament tomorrow. After the game against Kenya, Zimbabwe’s next assignment will be against Mozambique, who are ranked number 64.
Zimbabwe will then face The Gambia, ranked number 95, on October 23 before rounding off their games with a clash against Rwanda, ranked number 65, on October 24.
Despite facing minnows of world cricket in the tournament, head coach Justin Sammons was quoted by the press on Tuesday saying that they will treat each game with respect. He emphasised the importance of executing their skills well.
“The squad has worked really well over the past month. We had three weeks of camps with the greatest squad and then it was whittled down. I am very happy with the preparation and the expectation is to go and win every game.
Justin Sammons
“We respect every opposition. There are no small nations in ours. It’s not the person or the nation you are playing. It’s obviously bat versus ball. And we have to go out there and execute our skills,” said Sammons.
The top two sides in the Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier B tournament will advance to the regional final, where they will be joined by Namibia and Uganda, who were given a bye after having participated in the previous T20 World Cup, along with four other teams from sub-regional qualifiers A and C.
Zimbabwe has named a youthful side for the tournament, led by the experienced Sikandar Raza. There are two uncapped players in Tashinga Musekiwa and Tinotenda Maposa.
Thank you Maphosa
The 38-year-old Raza, with 91 T20I caps under his belt, is the team’s most experienced player, followed by the returning all-rounder Ryan Burl who, at 30, has featured in 77 games.
Other seasoned players named in the team include all-rounder Wessly Madhevere and fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava.
Apart from Burl, who was recalled after regaining his form, Zimbabwe also welcomed the return of right-arm seamer Trevor Gwandu, who had not made the cut since his international debut against Ireland in December last year.
We are brave enough to be laughed at
The Chevrons played a warm-up match against Kenya on Thursday and registered a 63-run victory. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zimbabwe scored 201/9 in 20 overs. With ball in hand, they restricted the hosts to 138/9 in 20 overs to secure a comfortable victory.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is set to host Afghanistan for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is in December. All matches are scheduled to be held at Queens Sports Club and will follow the completion of the Pakistan tour at the same venue.
Pakistan is set to be in Bulawayo for three ODIs and as many T20Is starting on November 24. At the same time that Afghanistan will be in Bulawayo, Netherlands A will be in Harare for a series against Zimbabwe Emerging.—@brandon_malvin
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