Chevrons chase ranking points

DESPITE having already lost the T20I cricket series against Bangladesh there is still something to play for the Chevrons in the remaining two matches today and on Sunday.

With the Chevrons trailing the fivematch T20I series 3-0, Zimbabwe interim national team coach, Stewart Matsikinyire believes that there is still more to play for despite the series now being a dead rubber.

The former national team coach is hoping his charges will salvage wins in the remaining two matches of the series to boost their ranking points in the shorter version of the white-ball format.

“There is something all to play for us as a team.

“We are searching for a positive result and get some valuable ranking points in this series, hence we are treating the remaining matches with the seriousness they deserve,” said Matsikinyire.

Zimbabwe are currently ranked 13 on the ICC T20 ranking a point behind Ireland and Scot-land and a win for the Chevrons in their last two T20I matches could see them moving to the 11th position on the rankings.

In their bid to do so, Matsikinyire, feels his charges need to put more runs on the scoreboard, challenging his batters to come to the party, especially the top order which has been found wanting in the series so far.

“If we can have the core of our batting score the bulk of our runs, we will pose a good challenge,” said Matsikinyire.

The captain, Sikandar Raza came out publicly criticising the performance of the senior players, including himself and the top order for a below-par performance challenging them to raise their hands.

The interim national team coach revealed that the senior players want to make their past mistakes right as the team targets ranking points.

“They (senior players) are aware that the difference between the two sides has been a lack of good contributions from them and they want to make that right,” said the national team interim coach.

Following the collapse of the top order, it has been the tail-end that has come to the party for Chevron’s batting line-up to give some competition to the series.

“It’s good to see how the lower order has conducted themselves.

“We did invest a lot in their batting during our preparation, so it does wonders depth-wise,” said Matsikinyire.