Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE return to Rawalpindi this afternoon hoping to put Tuesday’s narrow defeat, at the hands of Pakistan, behind them to keep their T20I Tri-Series campaign alive.
The match starts at 3pm.
Sri Lanka stand in their way and, after the final over loss to hosts Pakistan in the opener, the Chevrons know they can’t afford another slip.
They had only yesterday to regroup after a five-wicket defeat that stung because they were in control more than once. Zimbabwe started brightly, bowled with heart, and fielded with real intent.
But, key errors in the final moments handed Pakistan the victory. It was a reminder of how quickly momentum can change at this level.
The Chevrons go into today’s match hoping to collect full points and strengthen their push for a place in the final, a crucial step in their build-up to next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
They also want to fix the mistakes that let Pakistan off the hook.
Pakistan’s middle order stole the night, recovering from 54 for 4 with partnerships of 61 and 36.
Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan and Mohammed Nawaz absorbed pressure and punished the lapses that followed.
Zimbabwe’s attack had been disciplined, backed by sharp ground fielding, yet a dropped catch and a misfield in the penultimate over undid much of that good work.Chevrons captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged that their 147 for 8 wasn’t going to be enough.
“I didn’t think that was a good total on that wicket. There was a need for batsmanship on this sort of wicket, some of us needed to grind for the team and try and find a partnership. Had we found one I think 160-165 was a par score.
“I think the guys were trying, we cannot fault them for that. Pakistan have some mystery and the spinners are quality as well with Saim, Nawaz and Abrar.
“It’s not easy to put them away,” said Raza.He added:“I thought at that moment had we found 6-7 an over, and kept some wickets in hand, then we could have pulled the plug a bit earlier.
“We didn’t know how much dew there was gonna be, last 10 overs were slightly easier to bat on. When we went out there to bat I thought there wasn’t much turn, it was just slightly stoppy. It wasn’t easy to work the pace. I thought 160, with the seam attack and quality we have, thought that would have been par.”
Raza said there were still positives to carry into today’s encounter but emphasised the need to learn how to finish matches. “Certainly happy with that, there’s more positives than negatives.
“But we’re getting to a stage, where the fight has always been there, but we must learn how to cross the line.
“That has been the last hurdle. I’d like to see us crossing the line more often.
“(Conditions), were not the easiest. The pressure, the visibility of the high ball, certainly when the temperature drops quickly, these are not easy. “That’s why we love this game, and play this sport,” he said.
