Chevrons banking on home support.
AWAY from their woes in the current ODI series against bogey side Afghanistan, Zimbabwe will be looking to their passionate home support to help them secure one of the two ICC Cricket World Cup qualification spots next month.
Zimbabwe, along with Afghanistan, Ireland and the Windies, have got a second chance to qualify for the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over tournament after they finished in the bottom four of the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings at the 30 September 2017 cut-off date.
Zimbabwe is the most successful team in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (known as the ICC Trophy until 2005), winning the competition three times in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and have not competed in the event since 1990 as they earned direct qualification for all World Cups from 1996 onwards.
With a 95.8 per cent success rate (23 wins out of 24 matches with one no-result), Zimbabwe have never lost a match in the tournament, a record they will be determined to keep intact when they host the event from 4-25 March.
And the fact that they will be the most experienced side with over 900 total ODI caps, they will fancy their chances when they will launch their campaign either against Nepal or the United Arab Emirates at the Queens Sports Club on 4 March.
“Qualifying is our daily goal and that is what we are working towards,” said former captain Brendan Taylor.
Zimbabwe last year welcomed back Taylor who had retired from international competition in 2015 spending three years in England at Nottinghamshire.
The right-handed batsman is excited to be back, playing at home for Zimbabwe.
“Hosting the tournament is a fantastic feeling. It is clear we have to qualify and playing at home will certainly help.
“It will mean everything the end goal is massive, we have no doubt in our mind we will qualify, there has to be a certain amount of respect for each team, but qualifying is our daily goal and that is what we are working towards,” said the 32-year-old.
Zimbabwe are currently busy in a five-ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah and have two more crucial preparation matches remaining after going down 2-1.
Heath Streak’s men have been blowing hot and cold and have failed to ignite the heat ahead of the World Cup qualifier.
They play the Afghans in a must-win match today, at least to level the series and keep their hopes alive ahead of the last match on Monday.
Zimbabwe’s fixtures in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018
Sunday, 4 March –Zimbabwe v WCL Div.2 (runners-up), Queens Sports Club Tuesday, 6 March –Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, Queens Sports Club Saturday, 10 March –Zimbabwe v Hong Kong, Queens Sports Club Monday, 12 March – Zimbabwe v Scotland, Bulawayo Athletic Club Thursday, 15 March – Friday, 23 March – Super Six stage. — Sports Reporter/ICC