Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE music started first, then the shouting, then the laughter that echoed down the corridor as Zimbabwe’s dressing room turned into a full blown celebration theatre after a tense afternoon that ended without a single delivery being bowled.
Zimbabwe are through to the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight after heavy rain washed out their final group match against Ireland at Pallekele yesterday.
The abandoned game handies the Chevrons the single point they needed to seal qualification and send shockwaves through a group that has now claimed one of the tournament’s biggest casualties.
Australia are out and Zimbabwe are still standing.
The washed out match pushed Zimbabwe to five points, a tally Ireland could not reach and one that also left the pre-tournament favourites Australia with no route back into contention, bringing a dramatic end to their campaign and confirming one of the most remarkable group stage stories of the competition.
Inside the Zimbabwe camp the mood was a mix of disbelief and pure joy as players hugged, sang and soaked in a moment few outside their circle had predicted when the tournament began.
Captain Sikandar Raza admitted the celebrations were loud and full of life as the reality finally sank in.
“Ngarava led the singing. He has made some very good songs for the team so he is the headmaster,” said Raza with a smile that reflected the mood inside the room.
Yet even in the middle of the noise the skipper was quick to steady the excitement, reminding his teammates that the job is far from done and that the real test now lies ahead against some of the biggest names in the game.
“As much as we have achieved, it is just a tick in the box and not the whole box. There will be a small celebration but we will then switch focus onto the next game,” he said.
Zimbabwe now march into the Super Eight where they will face West Indies, India and South Africa in a demanding second phase that will test both their belief and their growing reputation as one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides.
Raza insists the ambition inside the camp stretches far beyond simply making up the numbers and that qualification has only sharpened their focus rather than satisfied it.
“We have the data on Sri Lanka and we will try to win that game. Qualifying has not changed our ultimate goal,” he said.
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker admitted the weather delivered a cruel end to his side’s hopes after they had stayed in contention heading into the final round of matches.
“The rain is something we are familiar with and it is uncontrollable. There is nothing we can do about it,” he said.
For Zimbabwe the journey continues with belief growing stronger, the noise around them getting louder, and a World Cup campaign that has already delivered drama now opening the door to an even bigger stage where the Chevrons will believe they belong.
