Chatara back, dreaming on

Brighton Zhawi
Sports Reporter

TENDAI Chatara knows the feeling of beating Bangladesh at home.

It is a feeling he tasted in his second One Day International when he was still a baby-faced boy from the Under-19 cricket side.

Fast forward to 2021 and “Chats”, ‘the last man standing’, is the only active bowler from the Zimbabwe attack that played Bangladesh at home in 2013.

“My nerves were better against Bangladesh; remember I had made my debut against the West Indies before that series.

“You can imagine bowling to guys like (Kieron) Pollard, (Ramnaresh) Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle as a new guy, it was a hell of an experience.

“So Bangladesh at home was less intimidating,” recalls Chatara.

Bangladesh are expected in the country this week for their first tour of Zimbabwe since 2013 and it coincides with Chatara’s own come back.

The 30-year-old battled a bicep injury that troubled him in the past year.

“I am strong now, I played against South Africa A recently and I felt good.

“I am coming to my best now.”

His best could see him break some records.

Chatara is poised to be the fastest Zimbabwean bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets.

He has picked 95 wickets in 70 matches and if gets to 100 in his next match he would have matched India’s Umesh Yadav and beating greats like New Zealander Richard Hadlee who got there in 72 matches, Dale Steyn (72), Wasim Akram (74), Ian Botham (75), Glenn McGrath (77) and a lot of other big cricketing names.

In Zimbabwe Cricket history only Heath Streak (237 wickets), Prosper Utseya (133), Graeme Cremer (119), Grant Flower (104) and Ray Price (100) have reached the prized100-wicket mark.

“How nice will it be to reach that milestone with my first ODI fiver more so at home,” said Chatara.

In his 70 ODIs, 11 have come against Bangladesh yielding 16 wickets at 30.68.

“I sort of know what to expect against Bangladesh and I am quite positive we will win the series.

“There is enough motivation with the Super League matches and naturally playing at home gives us an extra edge,” he said.

Back in 2013, Zimbabwe’s pace bowling attack against Bangladesh comprised of Tinashe Panyangara, Shingi Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura.

Hamilton Masakadza also bowled during that series.

This year it will be a different attack, which Chatara is expected to lead.

“It’s quite a good attack, the young guys have got good pace and energy, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, top bowlers we have,” he said.

He might not be a spotlight person, but Chatara is proving a top Zimbabwean bowler who can be a key member as the Chevrons look to tame the Tigers.