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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
NATIONAL cricket team captain Elton Chigumbura remains adamant that cricketers made the right decision to tour Pakistan at a time when the Asian nation faces unrest.
The Zimbabwe Cricket team left the country on Sunday night for a limited-overs tour to Pakistan. They will play two Twenty20 matches and three One Day Internationals in Lahore.
Last week’s terror attacks in Karachi almost ended Zimbabwe’s hopes of becoming the first International Cricket Council full member to tour the Asian nation since the Sri Lanka team was attacked by gunmen on tour in 2009 in Lahore.
Gunmen killed at least 43 people in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi which is about 1,300km away from Lahore where Zimbabwe will be based.
The country’s supreme sports body — Sports and Recreation Commission — declined to clear Zimbabwe Cricket for the Asian tour based on the information received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it was not safe for the national team to tour Pakistan.
The SRC’s decision left the tour hanging in the balance but ZC decided to go ahead with the the tour after security assurances by their Pakistan counterparts.
As ZC were still assessing the security report obtained from Pakistan, players were closely following developments.
In an interview with StarFM before flying out on Sunday night, Chigumbura said; “Obviously I’m not an expert when it comes to security issues but I can only trust the guys who went there and assessed the situation. But from a player’s point of view our job is to play cricket so we hope to do well there.”
The ZC managing director Alistair Campbell led an advance delegation a fortnight ago where they were shown the accommodation, transport and other logistics being put in place for Zimbabwe’s visit.
During his assessment of conditions in Pakistan, Campbell expressed confidence in the tour taking place as planned.
In their efforts to make sure that they stage a successful tour, Pakistan increased security at the stadium with reports saying about 3,000 police details would provide protection at the 27,000-seater facility.
A motorcade of 60 vehicles will accompany the Chevrons as well as 3,000 soldiers who have been deployed outside the stadium and the team’s hotel.
A calm Chigumbura believes his charges can upset Pakistan.
“We just want to carry on with the momentum we had at the World Cup. If we’ve that momentum we had at the World Cup, I’m sure we will have good results,” said Chigumbura.
He has confidence in his bowling attack which includes seamers Brian Vitori, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara and Christopher Mpofu.
Sub-Sahara wickets favour seamers.
“I think the combinations are good enough to go and compete in Pakistan. We’ve got too many options to select from which makes it easier when you’re on tour.”
Chevrons squad
Players: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Roy Kaia, Hamilton Masakadza, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Richmund Mutumbami, Tinashe Panyangara, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Sean Williams
Technical staff: Dave Whatmore (head coach), Douglas Hondo (assistant and bowling coach), Andy waller (batting coach), Stanley Chioza (performance analyst), Sean Bell (fitness trainer), Anesu Mupotaringa (physiotherapist), Chris Chiteka (manager)
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter