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Senior Sports Reporter
TWO days after securing the three-match one-day international series against Ireland in Harare, the Zimbabwe cricket team heads straight into action against Afghanistan in the first of five ODIs at Queens Sports Club this morning.
It should be an interesting battle considering that Afghanistan fought back from 2-0 down to level the four-match series 2-2 at the same venue.
That embarrassing series result against a team that was accorded ODI status in 2013 saw Zimbabwe sacking coach Andrew Waller and replacing him with Stephen Mangongo.
Mangongo was himself replaced by Sri Lankan-born Australian Davenell Whatmore at the end of last year.
Zimbabwe have played lots of cricket this year, something local cricketers have been yearning for, saying that would help improve their game.
Skipper Elton Chigumbura said they had no qualms with taking on Afghanistan soon after playing against Ireland as that is what they have always wanted.
Chigumbura predicted a high scoring series since the wicket at Queens has over the years proved to be a tough deck.
“Playing a lot of cricket is what we have always been asking for. Queens has always been a flat wicket so we are expecting a high scoring series. We are looking to improve in all departments; play our best cricket; we want to win all matches,” said Chigumbura.
Afghanistan have been in Zimbabwe for more than a week and are in high spirits following a 2-1 triumph over the Zimbabwe Chairman XI in a three-match practice series staged at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The fast improving Asians have been boosted by the appointment of Pakistan batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq as their head coach.
Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai yesterday said they appreciated the opportunity granted to them by Zimbabwe Cricket to play international cricket in the country and they are looking to play good cricket and win the series.
The contest is a welcome relief to Bulawayo cricket fans, who have not watched any international cricket for over a year as all action in the country this year had been limited to Harare.
As the national selectors look to build a team for the future by dropping the non-performing so called big names, left handed all-rounder Tendai
Chisoro has been rewarded for his brilliant display for the Chairman’s XI against Afghanistan with a national team call up.
Chisoro ,27, a middle order batsman, who also bowls left arm seam, has nine years experience of first class cricket, but has never played for the senior national team.
Teams
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura(captain), Sikandar Raza, Brian Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Neville Madziva, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami(wicketkeeper), Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Seam Williams
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam, Amir Hamza, Asghar Stanikzai(captain), Dawlat Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Shahzad(wicketkeeper), Najibullah Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Shapoor Zadran
Online Reporter