Eddie Chikamhi Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE national cricket team coach Justin Sammons says his side is focused on continuous growth and improvement as they begin their One-Day International triangular series campaign against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates.
The Chevrons take on Bangladesh in the tournament opener in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, with the competition forming an important part of their preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Zimbabwe have been testing themselves against some of the world’s leading teams in recent months, including India, Australia and South Africa, and Sammons believes Afghanistan and Bangladesh will provide another valuable benchmark.
“In terms of opposition, it’s real quality,” said Sammons.
“Afghanistan, in terms of white-ball cricket, have proven themselves on the world stage. We all know they have been making semi-finals at World Cups.
“They are a very dangerous team. They have got X-factor players and big match-winners in their side who are involved in the IPL and various franchise leagues around the world.
“And Bangladesh have been playing extremely good cricket in these conditions lately.
“Yes, we had them at home, where we played well against them in the Test and ODI series, but they went to Australia and beat Australia in a Test match.
“Before coming to Zimbabwe, they had performed extremely well in both ODI and Test cricket. So, it is great opposition, especially in conditions that favour them.
“It is certainly going to be a huge challenge, but that’s where growth comes from, and that’s exactly what we want.”
Zimbabwe arrived in the UAE on Wednesday morning and stepped up their preparations yesterday as they acclimatised to the conditions.
Sammons was particularly excited by the opportunity to play all three formats during the tour. The triangular ODI series will be followed by a bilateral tour against Afghanistan featuring three T20Is and two Test matches later this month.
“It’s a great tour,” he said.
“I think this gives us, certainly in the last two-and-a-half years, our first full sub-continent tour across all formats in these types of conditions.
“We had the Test in Bangladesh, but that was only one format. We then went to Pakistan for T20Is, and we also played the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, but that was again limited to one format.
“This tour gives us a full range across all three formats in these conditions, which is superb, and I’m really excited about that.”
Zimbabwe have intensified their 2027 World Cup preparations over the past four months.
They hosted Bangladesh for a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is in June before welcoming
World T20 champions India in July. The Chevrons also took part in a T20I triangular series involving South Africa and hosts Namibia in Windhoek in August.
Last month, they hosted reigning ODI champions Australia and, despite suffering a 3-0 series defeat, showed encouraging signs of progress against one of the strongest teams in world cricket after coming close to an upset win in the last match.
Sammons believes the increased volume of international cricket is playing a crucial role in the team’s development.
“The amount of international cricket we’ve been playing is so important,” he said.
“The biggest takeaway is understanding that we need to keep improving in all aspects if we are to
compete consistently with the best teams in the world.
“We’ve got to get fitter and stronger. We’ve got to improve our skill levels, and our mindset has generally been really good. It’s about continuing on that path.
“Playing against top-quality opposition allows us to understand exactly what is required to reach that level.
“I’ve seen that in the players, in the way they are preparing and in how they’ve raised their standards. In the long run, whether it’s a year, two years or three years down the line, it’s going to pay dividends.”
Zimbabwe’s selectors have retained faith in the core group that featured in the recent white-ball series against Australia, with wicketkeeper-batsman Tafadzwa Tsiga and leg-spinner Vincent
Masekesa replacing Innocent Kaia and Graeme Cremer.
Kaia is continuing his recovery from a thigh strain and is expected to be available for the T20I leg of the tour.
Tsiga and Masekesa are both in line for their ODI debuts, adding depth to a squad that combines experienced campaigners with an emerging generation of talent.
All-rounder Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe in the limited-overs matches in the absence of
Richard Ngarava, who is still recovering from a back injury.
The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with Raza, Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor expected to anchor the batting unit alongside rising talents Ben Curran, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Blessing Muzarabani spearheads the pace attack, supported by Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku and
Newman Nyamhuri, while Masekesa joins Wellington Masakadza and several all-rounders among the spin options.
“Yes, we have some very experienced players, but we also have a very young group,” said Sammons.
“Every opportunity for them to gain knowledge, experience and exposure against quality opposition will stand them in good stead as they move forward in their careers.
“It’s great experience for them. That’s how you learn.”
