Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Chevrons captain Graeme Cremer says he can feel the spark returning as Zimbabwe prepares for a demanding T20I Tri-Series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which begins tomorrow at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Zimbabwe touched down in Pakistan on Thursday morning and immediately switched into work mode. The squad has trained steadily, fine-tuning combinations for a series that throws them straight into the deep end against the hosts in tomorrow’s opener.
Cremer, making his international comeback after seven years away, said the group expects a stern test against two polished sides. He believes the Chevrons can trouble both opponents if they remain sharp across the three matches.
“Both teams are very strong, but Pakistan are playing at home and know their conditions so well. They are going to be two tough teams to beat with quality players. If we play our best, we can challenge both teams.”
He expects conditions to play a major role, particularly with dew likely to influence evening matches.
“It’s a bit cool, which is not what we are used to, but generally I think the wicket will be good for batting and dew will play a big part in this Tri-Series. There will be a lot of pressure on the bowlers in all three teams. The ones who can bowl well with a wet ball or field effectively in a dewy outfield will be crucial for all sides,” said Cremer.
He believes the squad’s blend of youth and experience gives Zimbabwe a real chance to deliver meaningful performances if they gel quickly.
“We have a balanced team with new and exciting talent coming in alongside some experienced guys who have been around. Hopefully we can bring those two together to produce good performances.
“The younger guys are so keen to learn; they are always asking questions. If I can mention myself, Brendan (Taylor), and Sikandar (Raza), we are taking on that mentor role for many of them, trying to guide them away from the mistakes we made when we were younger. We can pass on that knowledge to the guys coming up,” he said.
Cremer was part of the historic 2015 tour when Zimbabwe became the first international team to visit Pakistan after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus. Walking back into Rawalpindi brought back memories, but also a renewed sense of purpose.
“It feels great to be back. I’ve been out of the game for a while. What I remember from 2015 is the hospitality and the crowd, and it seems the same again this time. Hospitality is always amazing in Pakistan. My return to international cricket is a nice tour to start. What I love about the fans is that they support good cricket — it’s not one-sided, which is brilliant. The amount of security here is excellent; what PCB and the Pakistan government have put in place for us is outstanding.
“I am excited. I feel good, strong, and fit, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and getting back into it — hopefully back to where I was when I started. I’m feeling confident, which is the main thing, and I hope I can put in a good performance for the team,” he said.
On Saturday, Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi hosted a dinner in Islamabad for the Chevrons and the Sri Lankan squad — a gesture Cremer said reflected the warmth Zimbabwe has felt since arrival.
Tomorrow’s opener starts at 3pm.
— @brandon_malvin
