Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S run to the Super Eight at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup lifted belief around the Chevrons after one of their strongest global campaigns in years.
But coach Justin Sammons says the breakthrough will mean nothing if the team relaxes now.
“The work starts now,” Sammons said after the squad returned home over the weekend.
The players arrived quietly in small groups after travel disruptions forced changes to their route back from the tournament.
The low-key return did little to hide what the team had achieved on the field.
Zimbabwe topped their group unbeaten to reach the Super Eight and secure automatic qualification for the next T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Chevrons began with an eight-wicket win over Oman before stunning Australia by 23 runs and beating Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Their final group match against Ireland was washed out, leaving them unbeaten heading into the second stage.
The step up proved tougher.
Zimbabwe lost to West Indies, India and South Africa as the tournament moved to flatter pitches and smaller grounds that demanded greater experience and discipline.
Even so, several Chevrons players made a mark.
Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani finished among the leading wicket takers with 13 scalps while young batter Brian Bennett announced himself with 292 runs, one of the highest tallies in the tournament.
“The standout performer was Brian Bennett,” said Sammons.
“But Blessing was outstanding with the ball and Sikandar Raza again showed his value with bat and ball.”
For Sammons the bigger picture matters more than individual numbers.
Less than two years ago Zimbabwe were battling through sub regional qualifiers.
Finishing among the world’s top eight now offers proof the team is moving in the right direction.
But the coach insists progress will count for little unless the players keep pushing their standards.
“We were playing qualifiers not long ago,” he said.
“To now be among the top eight teams in the world is a big achievement. But if we want to go further we must keep improving.”
Zimbabwe’s next challenge comes in July when they face Pakistan in a series that could offer an early measure of whether the Chevrons’ World Cup progress is the start of something bigger.
Mathew Masinge