Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S next generation of cricketers got a vital reality check and a boost of inspiration as Scotland’s recent tour exposed them to a higher level of competition, Zimbabwe Cricket Academy coach Elton Chigumbura believes.
The Scots, fine-tuning their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 series against the Netherlands and the UAE, played six limited-overs matches against the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and Zimbabwe A sides during their visit.
The hosts fielded mostly young and inexperienced players in the Academy side, while the Zimbabwe A team featured a blend of development prospects and fringe national players.
Despite Scotland winning five of the six matches, Chigumbura hailed Zimbabwe Cricket for creating a platform for emerging talent to test themselves against a full national team.
“It was a great opportunity for our young players to go up against a national side. It helps them gauge where they stand in their development as they push towards international cricket,” said Chigumbura.
“Normally, we don’t get enough opportunities for A team games, but we really appreciate Zimbabwe Cricket. Recently, we had Canada touring, and before that, Durham visited the country. All these games offer invaluable chances for young players to break through. It was also a big opportunity for our Under-19 players as they prepare for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.”
Upcoming players such as Kian Blignaut, Newman Nyamhuri, and Brandon Senzere featured across both the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy and Zimbabwe A teams.
Blignaut impressed during the second one-dayer for Zimbabwe A, forging a brilliant 87-run partnership with record-breaking Antum Naqvi, where he chipped in with 47 runs.
However, it was the Belgian-born all-rounder Naqvi who stole the show, hammering 158 off just 110 balls, including 13 fours and nine sixes, to set a new record for the highest individual score in Zimbabwe A’s history across all formats. He surpassed Peter Moor’s 157 against Pakistan A in a first-class match at Queens Sports Club in 2016.
“I think there were some sparks of promise from players like Kian (Blignaut), Newman Nyamhuri, and a few others. Kian was involved in a good partnership for the third wicket with Antum Naqvi in that second game for Zimbabwe A,” said Chigumbura.
“It was encouraging to see someone aged just 17 or 18 featuring in such an important stand. Then we had Nyamhuri, who bowled very well. With the way he bowled, some might argue he was just unlucky not to pick up a few lbws. But with more practice, these youngsters can only get better,” he added.
There were also positive glimpses with the bat from fringe national team players such as Roy Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tony Munyonga, and Tadiwanashe Marumani.
On the bowling front, Brad Evans impressed, while Ernest Masuku produced a devastating spell of 7/35 as Zimbabwe A ended the tour on a high, crushing Scotland by eight wickets after bundling them out for just 85 runs in the final match on Monday.
