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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE will be looking for a strong start in the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier when they square off against Nepal at Queens Sports Club today.
Coach Heath Streak yesterday called upon his lads to play to the best of their ability as they seek to record a comfortable victory. The former national team skipper indicated that they were not taking their opponents lightly.
“We respect them but I expect my guys to go out and play strong cricket and if we play to our ability we should be able to beat them quite comfortable, that’s my expectation of the team. We won’t take them likely by any stretch of imagination, we know that they have got one or two decent players but I feel that when we are playing to our full ability we should dominate them,’’ Streak said.
The Chevrons had a torrid time against Afghanistan in a five-match series played in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates which the Asians won 4-1. Streak said coming back home to familiar conditions and the five wicket triumph over Papua New Guinea in a warm up at Bulawayo Athletic Club has given them the much needed confidence.
“Coming back home and playing in our backyard and practicing here both at Queens and BAC and the Academy, the wickets have been good. Our practice game against PNG was a good outing for us, it was good for us to get that time and good to get that convincing win under the belt,’’ said Streak.
While Nepal should not be much of a challenge for the Chevrons, the clash with Afghanistan is what must be giving skipper Graeme Cremer and the rest of the team sleepless nights. The two teams clash at Queens on Tuesday in what would be a defining moment for Zimbabwe’s campaign.
“They are all big games so you can’t take any team lightly but we know Afghan are a strong and form side at the moment, we going to be really lifting ourselves up, it would be good for us to get a good win to start the tournament and make sure that our confidence is good going into that fixture on Tuesday,’’ he said.
All is pointing to the explosive pairing of Cephas Zhuwao and Solomon Mire opening the batting for Zimbabwe. Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza and Peter Moor should make up a strong batting order for the Chevrons.
The bowling attack has left arm seamer Brian Vitori, fellow pace bowlers, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani and Kyle Jarvis who could take the new ball for Zimbabwe. Cremer, Raza and left arm spinner are the slow bowling options for Streak.
“Everyone knows that Cephas is an opening batsman and Solomon has had success there, Hamilton is the one guy who has had good success, his numbers batting at three are pretty good so we felt that’s quite a good combination having two dangerous players upfront, having a stable middle order,’’ said Streak.
The coach made a passionate plea to Zimbabweans to come out in their numbers to back the boys as they try to make it to England next year.
“Come, get behind the boys, put the opposition under pressure and support us, I know our boys respond well to the support in Zim. We know we have got 15 million people watching us, we want to make sure we make them proud to be Zimbabweans as much as we want our families and all our people to be proud of our performances we do in our quest to qualify,’’ Streak pleaded.
Sean Williams, who together with Zhuwao were latest additions to the squad is making good progress from injury and might be available for selection against Afghanistan. The left hander had a screw which had been inserted on his broken finger removed last week with Streak giving indications that they are monitoring him. -@Mdawini_29
Bongani Ndlovu