CHEVS’ REALITY CHECK

Eddie Chikamhi

Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE Chevrons were given a harsh reality check as Afghanistan whitewashed Zimbabwe 3–0 in a one-sided T20 series that left fans fuming and coach Justin Sammons admitting his team had been “taught a lesson.”

The series, meant to sharpen Zimbabwe for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in three months, instead exposed every weakness the team has been trying to hide, poor batting, sloppy bowling, and zero consistency.

For all the talk about progress after decent shows against Sri Lanka and Namibia, Afghanistan arrived, dominated, and walked out of Harare Sports Club like teachers leaving a class after handing out an exam Zimbabwe failed.

“Like I say, there’s good learnings. We’ve had our tough losses, and we’ve taken those learnings. It’s just now we’ve got to find a way to be more consistent,” said a visibly disappointed Sammons.

“We’ve played good cricket and then slipped again.

“It’s the nature of growing as a young team. There are ups and downs, but we’ve got to take lessons from the losses.”

Zimbabwe’s batting was a disaster.

In the first match, they were skittled out for 127 chasing 181. In the second, they crumbled for 125 after choosing to bat, losing by seven wickets.

The final match offered a flicker of hope, they fought back to score 201, but still lost by nine runs after Afghanistan piled on 210/3.

“Playing a team like this, this is a good T20 team. There’s a reason they made the semi-finals of the World Cup,” Sammons said.

“They’ve got all the attributes and qualities within their team.

“So it’s about learning from the best. Unless you’re playing them, you can’t adjust how you go about your own game.”

Skipper Sikandar Raza didn’t sugar coat it either.

“I think the difference has been the other teams put up a performance together, whereas Zimbabwe is still finding performance from one or two guys here, one or two guys there,” said Raza.

“It hasn’t been a collective performance from all of us, and hence the reason why we don’t wrap up close games and we don’t win series.”

Raza admitted the batting failures in the first two games were “the biggest disappointment.”

“But what’s positive,” he added, “is that when we demanded more from each other, we delivered. Unfortunately, we couldn’t string a whole team performance together.

“The next few months are crucial. The more T20 games we play, the more those missing puzzles will fit together.

“We need complete performances and to start winning again, not just working at things.”