dyton mupawaenda
Brandon Moyo
CHEVRONS head coach Justin Sammons, is not downplaying Zimbabwe’s successful campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier B tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, last week.
They were up against cricketing minnows in their quest to book a spot in the final regional qualifier for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup that will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The Chevrons convincingly won all the five games they played.
The win over Gambia shattered all records.
Speaking to the Cricket360 Podcast, Sammons said:
“We played really well, we are happy with the way things have gone.
“For us, it was not going to be whom we are playing against but more focus on ourselves and, at the end of the day, whether we are playing India or Gambia, it’s bat versus ball and ball versus bat.
“The focus remained on our process and sticking to what we want to do.”
The Chevrons dominated all the games they played, scoring 200 plus runs when batting first (except against Kenya).
Against Gambia, cricket records were shattered.
Zimbabwe shattered the record for the highest total in T20 cricket when they scored 344/4 in 20 overs.
Sikandar Raza spearheaded the effort with a century off just 33 balls.
He eventually finished unbeaten on 133, with 15 sixes. His team-mates hit 12 more (sixes) to set that record as well.
“We came here to dominate every game and that is what we did. The guys were professional and I am happy with the way they have gone about their business,” he said.
Zimbabwe players will not have a lot of time to rest with the domestic season already underway having started last Friday.
At the end of November, the Chevrons will host Pakistan in a white ball series consisting of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many T20Is at Queens Sports Club.
Soon after the Pakistan series, there will be a full tour by Afghanistan.
The tour will consist of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. Sammons said the sub-regional qualifier served as preparation for the two big tours.
Online Reporter