Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THERE is no time to rest for the Chevrons who concluded their white ball series against Bangladesh on Wednesday and now await to face India in three ODIs that get underway in the capital next week.
The matches are scheduled for August 18, 20 and 22.
The Indian cricket team will travel to Zimbabwe for the first time in six years for the series that is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, a 13-team competition serving as the main route for direct qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to be staged in India.
The Chevrons will go into the series on the back of an impressive 2-1 ODI victory over Bangladesh.
Man of the moment Sikandar Raza said the side was ready to face India.
“We are trying to build a winning culture in the dressing room. In the past Zimbabwe has not played a lot of games and we have complained about it. Now that we are getting games l don’t think of resting, l don’t think any other player in the dressing room wants to rest. The guys who are missing are also out due to injury, not because they want to rest,” said Raza.
Asked on the Chevrons chances against India, Raza said: “What was the winning probability for Zimbabwe when we went into the qualifiers after the defeat to Namibia? Not high. And then we were coming up against Bangladesh. What was the win probability? Not high again. We have to keep it the same way going into India.”
After the Bangladesh series, Raza has risen in all three lists of the MRF Tyres International Cricket Council Men’s ODI Player Rankings after a stellar show that has helped his team win the series.
Raza has moved up 10 slots to position 29 best batters in the world and is now 79th among bowlers, a result of two unbeaten centuries and four wickets in the two matches.
His performances also saw him move up seven places to a career-best fourth position among all-rounders.
He will be hoping to carry the same form into the India series. Soon after the India series Zimbabwe will tour Australia for another three ODI matches.
India tour of Zimbabwe 2022 Squads:
Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shuban Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohd Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
Australia men’s ODI series vs Zim
August 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville
August 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville
September 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville
— @innocentskizoe
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