adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
MOUNTAINEERS’ opening batsman and national cricket team captain, Hamilton Masakadza proved to be in top form during the Zimbabwe Cricket domestic T20 tournament that ended recently after scooping the player of the tournament and best batsman awards. Although Mountaineers were the favourites to clinch the title after flawless victories ushered by some impressive power-hitting by Masakadza, it was Eagles that eventually won the tournament by a super over eliminator.
The match had finished all even, both sides mustering identical totals of 167 for six wickets in their 20 overs.
The 32- year-old strong opening batsman who was recently appointed the national cricket team captain proved that he was the right man for the Chevron’s job.
The one-day cricket specialist also stamped his authority as a superior batsman internationally as he is currently sitting on number eight on the International Cricket Council’s T20 batting rankings.
At the tournament, Masakadza scored a total of 455 runs which earned him the best batsman award.
He also struck the most sixes, having hit 28 throughout the tournament showing that he is a powerful batsman.
In the opening match against MidWest Rhinos, Masakadza amassed an impressive 88 runs including seven fours and five sixes off 58 deliveries, while in the first round match against Eagles, overall he slammed 14 fours and 11 sixes at an astonishing strike-rate of 228.16.
In that same match he also set a record by reaching an unbeaten 162 for Mountaineers, scoring the second-highest individual score in T20 cricket. Masakadza ended just 13 runs short of West Indies, Chris Gayle’s record-shattering 175 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore club in the 2013 Indian Premiere League.
Zimbabwe Cricket last Saturday announced its 15 player squad for the ICC World T20 being hosted by India next month from March 8 to April 3.
With vast experience on his side having played over 100 T20 matches including international matches, Masakadza’s current top-form will no doubt give the Chevrons fans a ray of hope at the ICC World Cup.
Masakadza last Wednesday said he was optimistic the side selected would deliver at the World Cup.
“It is not only me who is in top form, but several other players selected for the squad showed their A game at the T20 domestic tournament and I am confident the selectors put up a strong side that will deliver. Several players have international cricket experience so we will not go in as amateurs, but as a formidable side ready to deliver its best and make a mark,” said Masakadza.
The Chevrons that leave for the United Arab Emirates today (Friday) will play five warm up matches before the international T20 cricket showcase.
They will first play the hosts UAE next week Tuesday followed by the former T20 World Cup champions West Indies next week Saturday and Sunday.
The final two friendly matches will be played in India against a local Indian club on March 3 and against Ireland on March 5.
Zimbabwe is Group B with Hong Kong, Scotland and Afghanistan. The winner of the Group B will qualify for the Super 10 group one where there is Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and England.
The winner of Group A which consists of Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Oman will also go on to join Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and the hosts India.
Zimbabwe squad for World T20:
Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Tinashe Panyangara, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chisoro, Neville Madziva, Malcolm Waller, Vusi Sibanda, Graeme Cremer; Donald Tiripano (stand-by).
Online Reporter