Chevrons, Afghans in dress rehearsal
WITH exactly a month before the International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier gets underway in Zimbabwe where two slots are up for grabs at next year’s tournament in England, the Chevrons clash with Afghanistan on neutral territory in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates from tomorrow.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, whose rivalry in international cricket started in 2014 have since then had an intriguing competition between each other. That One Day International series in Bulawayo ended 2-2 but Afghanistan have won all contests since then.
First up for the two teams is a two match Twenty20 International series which gets underway at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium with the opening match tomorrow and the second on Tuesday. That is followed by a five-match ODI contest at the same venue which starts on Friday and concludes on 19 February.
What makes the series in Sharjah vital is that the two teams clash in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Queens Sports Club on 6 March. Zimbabwe have to be in the final to be played at Harare Sports Club on 25 March to qualify for the Cricket World Cup in England.
Zimbabwe coach, Heath Streak is well aware how crucial the fixtures against Afghanistan are as Zimbabwe gears up for the Qualifier.
“Obviously it’s very important for us to have a good series against Afghanistan given that we are playing against them in the World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup qualifiers is a key tournament for us. Two positions are up for grabs with 10 teams that are very strong, including Afghanistan, West Indies, Scotland, Ireland and Holland,’’ Streak said.
He is looking to instil a must win approach on his players seeing that Afghanistan have proven to be tough opponents in the past.
“This is going to be a crucial series for us to get ourselves ready and try and get a bit of confidence. We know Afghanistan are a tough team in the T20 format and also the one-day format, hopefully we can play some good cricket and start well, I think if we do that then we give ourselves a good chance to turn the series around. We are going to play every game like it’s a must win game, we are looking to a very tough and competitive series,’’ he said.
Left arm pace bowler Brian Vitori and batsman Ryan Burl have been added to the squad while veteran seamer Christopher Mpofu, leg spinner Brandon Mavuta as well as wicket-keeper Ryan Murray were sent home to get some game time with Zimbabwe A against Kenya. Zimbabwe A take on Kenya in the third and final 50 over match at Mutare Sports Club today before the two teams meet in a T20 fixture on Tuesday. Zimbabwe squad against Afghanistan: Zimbabwe squad for triangular series in Bangladesh: Graeme Cremer (captain), Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Malcolm Waller, Ryan Burl, Peter Moor, Sikandar Raza, Solomon Mire, Blessing Muzarabani, Kyle Jarvis,Tendai Chatara, Brian Vitori, Tendai Chisoro
—@Mdawini_29