Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DION EBRAHIM says the Chevrons must use the Pakistan tri-series to show they belong on the big stage.
The team touched down in Islamabad yesterday after a tense week in the region and the entire tour has been shifted to Rawalpindi following a suicide bombing in the capital.
But Ebrahim isn’t distracted.
He says this is the kind of heat the Chevrons need as they chase a place among the world’s best again.
“It’s of huge significance, this tour provides meaningful match time and information gathering in sub-continent conditions, the conditions which we will encounter in the 2026 World Cup.
“Added to that, we get to play two very different balanced teams which will test the dynamic nature of all our skill sets,” he said.
Ebrahim has been at the heart of Zimbabwe’s rebuilding process and he believes the boys have worked hard to toughen up for these conditions, especially against spin.
“The sub-continent is a tough place for any team to tour. You just need to look at the statistics.
“That being said, the playing of spin has been a key area of improvement we are focusing on.
“Are we ready? Yes. We are planning to expand our skill sets in these conditions,” he said.
The Chevrons have played more T20I cricket this year than in recent seasons.
From battles against Ireland, Namibia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, to the 10-team World Cup Qualifier in Harare, there has been no shortage of game time.
Ebrahim says that workload has exposed exactly where Zimbabwe must improve.
“The amount of cricket the team has played has given us a baseline of where the top nations are currently performing at and what gaps we need to identify and fill,” he said.
“Every tour provides different challenges. So, whilst you can play and prepare locally, until you play Pakistan in Pakistan you can only prepare subjectively.”
He believes confidence is growing after “some brilliant team and individual performances,” and this tour is the moment to stack momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup.
There is one big worry though.
Star quick Blessing Muzarabani hasn’t made the trip as he continues to nurse a back injury.
“His absence is naturally a huge factor. But at this stage we are very optimistic of him being available for the T20 World Cup,” said Ebrahim.
Zimbabwe open the tri-series against Pakistan on Tuesday before facing Sri Lanka two days later in the reshuffled fixture list.
All seven matches will now be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after discussions between the PCB, Sri Lanka Cricket and Zimbabwe Cricket
