adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
FAST bowler, Tendai Chatara who bounced back into Zimbabwe’s squad after nearly a year recuperating from a leg injury has promised to deliver his best at the T20 World Cup slated for India next month. Chatara fractured his left leg in April last year while playing social soccer during the domestic off-season. The selectors named him in the 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 after he proved to be in top form at the domestic T20 tournament played last week.
He generally showed fitness throughout the tournament, but it was in the finals against Mashonaland Eagles that he proved his mettle despite losing by a super eliminator. The match had finished all even, both sides mustering identical totals of 167 for six wickets in their 20 overs.
For the Mountaineers to reach the eliminator stage to decide the winner was largely because of Tendai Chatara, who conceded just four runs off the final over to force the game into a tie as Eagles also finished on 167 for 6 after 20 overs.
Chatara had only returned to competitive cricket last month since last playing for the Chevrons at the ICC Cricket World Cup last year in February where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 10 scalps at an average of 34.20.
“I am now fit, but I am sure I can improve on my performance. I hope to perfect and improve on my bowling during the warm-up matches scheduled. I also now have international experience, so I am sure I will deliver and give it my all for my team,” said Chatara.
Tinashe Panyangara who was also out of action with a back injury is also back in the squad. Taurai Muzarabani and Brian Vitori were the two seamers who missed out due to the return of Chatara and Panyangara.
Chatara, Panyangara, Luke Jongwe and Neville Madziva make up the frontline seam options in the squad. Zimbabwe has picked three specialist spinners in Graeme Cremer, Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Masakadza, with back-up from the part-time bowling of Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza.
The side left for the United Arab Emirates today (Friday) where they are scheduled to play their first three friendly matches out of the five warm-up matches planned.
Online Reporter