Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE T20I cricket skipper Sikandar Raza wants his team to put behind them the “demons” that stalked them in recent outings as the Chevrons look to turn around their fortunes in a Triangular Series that kicks off this afternoon against South Africa at Harare Sports Club.
The game starts at 1pm.
With the Chevrons coming from a disappointing Test series against South Africa, the home team aims to be more competitive in the shortest version of the game, a series that also includes New Zealand.
Zimbabwe wrapped up their preparations at the weekend, to the satisfaction of the veteran all-rounder captain, who is returning after missing the Test series against South Africa in Bulawayo.
“Yeah, so the preparations have gone well. We’ve had three very good training sessions. The guys have done what was asked of them,” said Raza.
“Good energy, I think what is really required right now and the biggest challenge as a captain was to try and bring the fun out of playing cricket as well. I know we’ve had two very tough Test matches.
“It can happen, but hopefully the guys have taken something out of those Test matches as well, positively. And we try to put those demons of Test cricket behind us because the last time Zimbabwe was playing T20I cricket, we won the series (against Ireland in February this year).
“So, you’ve got to remember those good things that Zimbabwe has done in T20 colours. Hopefully, we can build on that as well.”
Raza told journalists yesterday that the Chevrons had done proper homework ahead of the opening match of the Triangular Series.
“It’s very nice, not just for them, for New Zealand as well. I mean, we’re preparing for both countries. They are very good sides,” said Raza.
“They have come to us, and we’re going to try and play a really good brand of cricket as well. We’re going to have exciting games so that people who are watching us in Zimbabwe or outside the country as well can actually watch and enjoy those games.”
Raza will lead a squad that features a blend of experience and promising talent, including the return of key players from injury.
Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava, who had been sidelined with a lower-back injury, is back to bolster the bowling attack alongside fellow seamer Blessing Muzarabani.
Young all-rounder Brian Bennett, who missed part of the recent Test series against South Africa in Bulawayo due to a concussion, is available for action. The squad also retains Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa, all of whom impressed during Zimbabwe’s last T20I assignment against Ireland in February.
Adding depth to the group are three uncapped players in the shortest format: wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga, left-arm paceman Newman Nyamhuri and leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa. South Africa and New Zealand have also brought competitive sides.
“We are very happy that both countries have brought really strong squads as well. It will be good for our own development and for learning as well,” said Raza.
Zimbabwe are using the Triangular Series as part of the preparations for the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final which they will host in September. Eight teams will be chasing two World Cup slots in that tournament.
“Everything that we’re doing now is getting up for the qualifiers as well. So, you know, this opportunity that we’re going to get from South Africa and New Zealand is certainly what’s needed at the start of a very busy summer/winter that’s ahead of us,” said Raza.
Despite naming a side with four uncapped players — Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Rubin Hermann and Senuran Muthusamy — South Africa have a balanced side.
The Proteas are looking to build on the momentum of the team’s successes this year, as highlighted by their recent triumph in the World Test Championship.
“All of us took a lot of inspiration from the World Test Championship final. I don’t think many people gave us a chance to even get to the final and certainly not in the final. If you look at it, it speaks a lot of what we stand for and try to represent as South Africans,” stand-in captain Reeza Hendricks told journalists yesterday.
“The resilience and the proud sporting nation as a whole. People expect results from us and that sort of drives guys to perform seemingly above levels that other people think are possible. We definitely spoke about that in the squad but for us the chat has been really important to refocus.”
The Proteas will go into the series with their heads up with memories of the recent dominance of the hosts in the two-match Test series that ended in a 2-0 whitewash.
“It’s a different format, it’s a different challenge lying ahead now. The preparation has been really good. Obviously the guys had some time in the Test.
“We had a good camp in Pretoria, the guys who came in. Really good camp there and the last two days the guys have been on point. I felt that we would be ready to play today already but that’s always a good position to be in.
“You feel like you’re ready to go and hopefully we can hit the ground running,” said Hendricks. South Africa will play New Zealand on Wednesday. Zimbabwe will be back in action this Friday against the Black Caps, with more matches to continue into the next week. The teams will face each other twice in the round robin matches.
All matches will be played at Harare Sports Club. The top two teams at the end of the round robin duels will meet in a final on July 26.
Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri and Tafadzwa Tsiga
