Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRAD EVANS’ stock has risen sharply in recent months, with the Zimbabwe all-rounder emerging from the T20I Tri-Series in Namibia as one of the Chevrons’ most reliable performers.
Although Zimbabwe lost to South Africa three times, including in the final, Evans enhanced his reputation with a string of performances that underlined his value with both bat and ball.
The 29-year-old finished as Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps, one behind tournament leader Duan Jansen of South Africa.
His exploits lifted him four places to a career-high joint 22nd in the latest ICC Men’s T20I bowling rankings.
Evans also made a telling contribution with the bat.
His hard work in that department was evident throughout the tri-series as he repeatedly came to Zimbabwe’s rescue when the top order struggled.
In the final against South Africa, Evans struck the highest score of his T20I career, an unbeaten 56 from 31 deliveries.
His innings, which featured four fours and four sixes, gave Zimbabwe some respectability after they had slipped into deep trouble while chasing 206 for victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Evans played a key role in Zimbabwe’s five-run victory over Namibia. He shared an unbeaten 94-run partnership from 48 balls with Ryan Burl as the Chevrons recovered to post 195 for six.
Burl finished unbeaten on 57, while Evans contributed 37 not out.
The all-rounder says his improvement with the bat is the result of months of work behind the scenes.
“Yeah, it is something I have been working really hard on, and it has come on in leaps and bounds over the last six months or so,” said Evans.
“I am proud of my progress with the bat and I just want to keep contributing in every department.”
Evans finished joint third among Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorers at the tournament with 99, level with Innocent Kaia.
Brian Bennett led the Chevrons’ batting charts with 107 runs, while captain Sikandar Raza scored 100.
Evans also climbed 14 places to number 25 in the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, further underlining his growing influence in the shortest format.
Raza remains the world’s top-ranked T20I all-rounder.
The tri-series provided more evidence of Evans’ development from a strike bowler into an all-rounder capable of influencing matches in both disciplines.
One of the defining moments of his campaign came when he was named Player of the Match for the first time in his international career following Zimbabwe’s victory over Namibia.
With the hosts needing 16 runs from the final over, Evans held his nerve and claimed two wickets to secure the win.
“I enjoy those moments,” he said.
“I had a simple plan and tried to execute it. Luckily, it paid off.”
Evans has now established himself as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential players ahead of a demanding international schedule.
The Chevrons face Australia this week before assignments against Bangladesh and Afghanistan later in the year.
His performances in Namibia also exposed a concern for Zimbabwe, whose batting line-up suffered several collapses during the tournament.
Raza acknowledged that the lower order had been forced to carry too much responsibility.
“A lot of inspiration can be drawn from Brad Evans, (Kundai) Matigimu and Newman Nyamhuri, who showed a lot of character towards the end,” said Raza.
“Our tail has been scoring a lot of runs, and we can take heart from that, but it does not mean the top and middle order should not do their jobs.
“Imagine if we could set the platform for these guys. They could win us games.
“Unfortunately, we have not given them that platform. They keep coming in and scoring valuable runs that take us to respectable totals, but that is still not good enough from all of us.”
