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AFTER a bruising and crushing defeat, it’s almost customary for most sportsmen to look for positives, and the brighter side of things.
It is a mentality Zimbabwe’s Chevrons may look to adopt, as they move to the Twenty20 format of their month-long tour of Bangladesh.
That the team is bruised and battered qualifies as one of the understatements of the year, and we are only in March.
The Tigers dominated the one-off Test and mauled the Chevrons three-nil during the three-match ODI series; so what positives can be taken from such beatings.
Well, for starters teenager Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza have been stand out performers, with the former, who was on international debut, ending the series averaging 43.00 to go with two wickets.
Raza was Zimbabwe’s top run getter with 145 runs in three innings; scoring a fighting 66 in his 100th ODI, and the third ODI of the series, played on Friday.
Unfortunately, it could not stop the 123 D/L run loss.
Donald Tiripano proved he can smack the ball; an unbeaten 28-ball 50 in the second ODI almost snatching a win during the 322-run chase in the second ODI.
The biggest take away from that innings is Tiripano has the potential to pile in the runs and fill in the finisher role the team so desperately needs.
Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scored a maiden ODI 50 in the second match and will relish the short format of the game in the matches to come.
A fresh series starts tomorrow, with a two-match T20s contest on the cards.
It’s a chance for Zimbabwe to salvage pride, and more importantly remember how to win again.
One has to go back to October 2019 for Zimbabwe’s last international win across all formats.
Singapore were the victims losing by 8 wickets in a T20 encounter.
In 11 T20 meetings between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the Chevrons have won four and lost seven, with their last T20 victory over Bangladesh dating back to an 18-run win in 2016.
Only time will tell whether it’s a positive or another crushing series for Zimbabwe.
The spotlight will be on Brendan Taylor who is on a lean patch after scoring 33 runs during the ODI series.
He is an experienced player whom Zimbabwe will be desperate to find his touch.
Online Reporter