adminThe Tigers arrived in Harare yesterday with their new English coach Pybus hopeful of a good outing during the “unofficial Tri-Nations Series” at Harare Sports Club starting tomorrow.
Bangladesh will play the Zimbabwe Select in a warm-up match while South Africa are expected to arrive on Saturday.
“We are grateful for getting the opportunity to play in the triangular series.
“I think all the three sides will find the series helpful as they try different combinations of players.
“South Africa have brought most of their top players and Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are starting as the underdogs,” he said.
The T20 World Cup is set for Sri Lanka in September and Pybus is hoping to work on his future team.
“This game will be extremely competitive despite it being an unofficial tri-nations series,” said Pybus.
Pybus was last month appointed coach for the Tigers when he signed a two-year deal to replace Stuart Law who stepped down from the post in April due to family
reasons after only nine months in charge.
Pybus, who has an option to remain until the 2015 World Cup, is returning to international coaching for the first time since 2003 when he led Pakistan.
He has previously coached the Cobras in South Africa and hopes his knowledge of the players will help them in Harare.
“I am looking forward to getting busy with the boys.
“We have an active schedule ahead of us and for me the next few months will be about building relationships.
“I know a couple of boys from South Africa because I worked with them when I was at the Cobras.
“So it gives me an insight when I am preparing my team but still we have to work hard and get the skill to play well,” he said.
Bangladesh will use the warm-up to acclimatise to the wicket.
“I am hoping the players will adjust to the wicket at Harare Sports Club,” he said.
England-born Pybus has twice been in charge of Pakistan, at the 1999 World Cup, before taking up the position again in 2003.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket has named the select side which will take on Bangladesh in a one-day warm-up match at Interfin Country Club tomorrow
The 50-over warm-up match starts at 9am.
Raymond Price and Tatenda Taibu will miss warm-up match due to injury.
Price is struggling to overcome a persistent back injury while Taibu has a bruised left index finger.
Zimbabwe Select
Vusi Sibanda, Stuart Matsikenyeri,Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Brendan Taylor, Forster Mutizwa, Regis Chakabva, Brian Vitori, Graeme Cremer, Natsai Mushangwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Muzhange, Keegan Meth
Online Reporter