Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S stand-in captain Sikandar Raza is hoping for the return of Craig Ervine to bolster the batting line-up as the Chevrons brace for a new challenge in the upcoming T20I series against bogey side Afghanistan starting tomorrow.
Ervine is racing against time to recover ahead of the shortest format, having missed the last two matches against Afghanistan in the just-ended ODI triangular series.
The veteran left-hander’s absence was strongly felt after he tore his hamstring during the first match of the triangular series when he struck a match-winning 93 against Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe struggled to replicate that batting stability and were comprehensively beaten by Afghanistan in their subsequent meetings, including last Friday’s one-sided final.
Raza is eager to have a full-strength squad available for the three-match T20I series and the two-Test series that will follow.
The Zimbabwe all-rounder, who himself battled cramps during the final, admitted he was concerned by the growing injury list after promising fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri also missed one of the round-robin matches.
“Yeah, hopefully if we can get over the injuries that we have already. If everybody is fit, I feel like the T20 series and the Test series should be better contested series than the ODI series against Afghanistan, because we would have been here for at least 10 days, and I think that would have given us enough time to acclimatise as well.
“So, I’m very hopeful that the T20I series and the Test match will be a better series. But certainly, the ODI series we found it tough, and unfortunately it didn’t help that three or four of our boys have been injured,” said Raza.
The experienced stand-in skipper also pointed to the hot and humid conditions in the UAE, saying Zimbabwe’s preparations were hampered by a lack of acclimatisation time.
The Chevrons endured a difficult ODI campaign, with Afghanistan twice bowling them out for below-par totals. Zimbabwe were dismissed for just 136 in their first clash with Afghanistan while chasing a daunting target of 295, eventually losing by 158 runs. They still progressed to the final after Afghanistan also defeated Bangladesh in the round-robin stage.
However, there was little improvement in the title decider as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 158 before Afghanistan cruised to a seven-wicket victory. Apart from Raza, who top-scored with 68, Zimbabwe’s batting unit failed to make a meaningful impact. The captain battled through cramps to register a fighting half-century, much the same way Ervine also dug in after suffering a hamstring injury in the first match against Bangladesh. “The team needed me to grind. When you grind, and you’re trying to do the right things, I always say that cricket rewards you back,” said Raza.
“I just think that we have to understand that we haven’t had a chance to acclimatise. We only got here two days before the first game.
“So, I think that’s an area that we need to address back with the board as well, that hopefully when we come to the subcontinent, try and send us early so that we can get used to these conditions.
“These are alien conditions for us, especially in this month. It has been very hot and humid, and the body has struggled to cope with it. But for me personally, when I look back, it was the team that needed me to grind.
“There has to be mental toughness. I mean, in the first game, I reckon Craig Ervine was batting on 30 when he tore his hamstring. He’s got a grade one tear, but he batted on till he was on 90.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe senior women’s cricket team surrendered the series to hosts India after going down by 121 runs in the second Women’s One Day International in Vadodara yesterday. India plundered a mammoth 328/6 after winning the toss, with two centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur (126) and Deepti Sharma (106*) setting the platform for the big win.
In response, the Lady Chevrons were bowled out for 207 runs inside 48.5 overs. Modester Mupachikwa top scored with 49 runs, while Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano contributed 46. Zimbabwe now trail the three-match series 2-0, ahead of the last match set for Wednesday.
