Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi and Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHEVRONS T20 captain Sikandar Raza believes the Chevrons must sharpen both bat and ball work to handle Pakistan’s demanding wickets.
He was speaking ahead of Zimbabwe’s departure for Pakistan as they gear up for a testing T20I Tri-Series that also features the hosts and Sri Lanka.
Fresh from their home series against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club, Justin Sammons’ men regrouped in the capital yesterday and are set to leave for South Asia this afternoon.
The tour begins on Monday next week in Rawalpindi.
The squad’s departure follows a quick turnaround from the domestic Logan Cup action which wrapped up on Sunday. The trip gives the team an early chance to adjust to Pakistan’s conditions before the action begins.
As part of the build-up, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will also play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) starting today and ending on Saturday.
“We have about a week’s break before our next assignment. In Pakistan, we’re going to have to learn to skin the cat slightly differently because of the wickets and the challenges that will be thrown at us,” said Raza.
“Watching the recent series there, the dew is starting to come in, and the wickets are starting to change a little bit. We have to prepare better with both bat and ball. We should be very prepared and geared for a very high pace and high-intensity series so that nothing surprises us.”
The Tri-Series will run from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Zimbabwe open their campaign against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 17 before taking on Sri Lanka two days later at the same venue.
The final two round robin games will be in Lahore, against Pakistan on November 23 and Sri Lanka on November 25, before the top two sides clash in the final at Gaddafi Stadium on November 29.
The Chevrons last toured Pakistan in 2020, where they lost both the ODI and T20I series, going down 2–0 and 3–0, respectively. This tour offers a chance to measure their progress under new coach Sammons and a reinvigorated leadership core.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been ruled out of the T20 international triangular series.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR T20I TRI-SERIES
VS PAKISTAN & SRI LANKA:
Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor
