Chibhabha backs Wesley

Tinashe Kusema

Deputy Sports Editor

YOUNG Wesley Madhevere has received plaudits from captain Chamu Chibhabha, with the Chevrons skipper describing him as a future star after a fine showing in the opening game of their tour of Pakistan.

Madhevere, together with wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor, were among the positives of Zimbabwe’s 25-run loss during Friday’s first of the One-Day-Internationals against the hosts at Rawalpindi Stadium.

The two starred in a 119-run fifth wicket partnership, that swung the game in Zimbabwe’s favour, before a late collapse saw the visitors being bowled out 26 runs short of the target.

“Positives would be Brendan Taylor’s 100 and Wesley’s half century.

“With us trying to qualify for the World Cup, it’s always good to see both senior players and some of the younger guys coming to the party, scoring important runs.

“I thought our bowlers did well against a formidable Pakistan batting line-up.

“Wesley (Madhevere) in particular was impressive; he is a genuine all-rounder who continues to rise and impress with every outing.

“He has great temperament that defies his young age, and Zimbabwe Cricket has a great asset in him.

“It’s good to see someone make such a smooth transition from junior ranks to senior level,” Chibhabha said.

Zimbabwe will today return to the park for the second ODI, with Chibhabha hopeful for a better result.

Of particular concern is the team’s mental strength, which Chibhabha finds frustrating and blames for the poor results, and the fitness of Blessing Muzarabani, who failed to complete his allotted 10 overs during the first match.

“We should have won the first ODI, Taylor and Madhevere put us in a good position, and if one of them had batted to the end we could have got the result,” said Chibhabha.

“Sadly, this has been the story of Zimbabwe cricket, where we put ourselves in winning positions only to falter with the finishing line in sight.

“It’s really frustrating, and mostly a psychological hurdle we need to overcome.

“One could see in the field that aggression was there, and it set the tone for our batting, but unfortunately we couldn’t finish the job.

“It’s time we start winning games, and that starts now.”

On Muzarabani’s injury scare, Chibhabha said: “When he was bowling his ninth over, Blessing had a tight hamstring, and wasn’t comfortable to finish.

“We had to make a change, and stop him from bowling.

“Otherwise we have a clean bill of health going into the second game, and Blessing will be assessed just before the game”.