Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING a commanding 67 run win over Sri Lanka on Thursday, the Chevrons step into Rawalpindi this afternoon knowing the stakes only rise from here. Pakistan stand in their path in a match that carries weight for the Tri-Series table and for Zimbabwe’s wider ambitions as they build towards next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
A victory today pushes Zimbabwe closer to Saturday’s final. They sit on two points from two games, one win and one loss, with a strong net run rate of 1.471. Pakistan and Sri Lanka clashed yesterday, a result that was still pending at the time of going to print, and one that shapes the Chevrons’ route.
For Zimbabwe, though, this is bigger than chasing standings. They want rhythm, confidence and a spark that can carry them into 2025.
Asked about the plan for Pakistan, skipper Sikandar Raza didn’t dance around it.
“We will try and win it, that’s the plan,” said Raza.
Raza goes into this match fresh from marking his 300th game for Zimbabwe and becoming only the second local to reach 100 T20I wickets. He believes the team’s drive comes from within, and the consistency ZC has pushed for is now showing on the field.
“I don’t think Zimbabwe needs an outside source to be better, once we put on that jersey we know what we have to do. We are motivated enough as it is. Anybody would be privileged to represent their country. There are a lot of cricketers back home and they would love the opportunity to be with the national team. The extra motivation is nice.
These results show that the process, which Zimbabwe Cricket has been following is starting to show the rewards one looks for.
“The belief comes with training, we have been very hard in our training and the thing that we were lacking in the past was the mental toughness. We have taken most of the teams to the wire in the games that we have played this year, even though we have lost more games than not. Most of the times we have lost, we would have given the opposition a great fight. Once you hang in there, sometimes luck goes your way, those little catches that you take etc. Because we have worked hard, those sorts of things happen and this (vs Sri Lanka) was a testament of all the hard work we have been doing in the past,” said Raza.
He also applauded his fast bowlers, led by Richard Ngarava, who recently became the first Zimbabwean to reach 100 T20I wickets.
“Richard Ngarava leads this bowling attack, his mindset and work ethic are great. Tino (Maposa) being a youngster, he follows, Brad (Evans) has been a great addition to our squad, he has played a lot of cricket and kudos to him, he is going strong.
He is very disciplined when it comes to his diet, training and work ethics. Richard being the leader of this bowling unit should be given more credit, not me. We have our own things that we do in the change-room and Richard has been a fantastic leader of this bowling group even without Blessing (Muzarabani).
We missed him because he is injured and we all pray for his recovery because he is a vital part of our family,” said Raza.
Zimbabwe and Pakistan meet at 3PM, with a place in the final within reach. — @brandon_malvin.
Londile Moyo