Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE coach Justin Sammons says Afghanistan’s 3–0 series whitewash was a timely reality check for the Chevrons as they gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in less than three months.
The series exposed Zimbabwe’s flaws in all departments, undoing the optimism built from encouraging displays against Sri Lanka and Namibia. The Afghans, semi finalists at the last World Cup, arrived in Harare with purpose, and left having reminded the hosts of the standards required on the global stage.
“Like I say, there’s good learnings. At the end of the day, that’s what we have done over the last period. We’ve had our tough losses, and we’ve taken those learnings. It’s just now we’ve got to find a way to be more consistent,” said Sammons.
“We have played good cricket and we’ve sort of slipped again. It’s about finding a little bit more consistency. Again, also understanding it’s the nature of teaching cricket. So, you’re not always going to have complete consistency, especially as a young team like we have, and there are going to be those ups and then those downs. Hopefully in the future, that consistency comes in. But we’re making sure we take the lessons from the losses.”
Zimbabwe’s batting came apart in the first two matches. In the opener, they were bundled out for 127 chasing 181. In the second, they folded for 125 after electing to bat, allowing Afghanistan to coast to a seven wicket win.
The final game briefly lifted spirits, as Zimbabwe posted 201 runs in reply to Afghanistan’s 210/3, a closer contest, but still not enough. Their bowlers leaked runs while their top order’s failure to convert starts proved costly.
“Playing a team like this, this is a good T20 team. There’s a reason they made the semi-finals of the World Cup. They’ve got all the attributes and qualities within their team,” Sammons added.
“So, it’s about playing the best. It’s seeing how they go about their business and adjusting how we go about ours when we’re playing them. Unless you’re playing them, you can’t do that.”
Captain Sikandar Raza, admitted that a lack of collective effort was their undoing.
“I think the difference has been the other teams put up a performance together, whereas Zimbabwe is still finding performance from one or two guys here, one or two guys there,” he said.
“It hasn’t been a collective performance from all of us, and hence the reason why we don’t wrap up close games and we don’t win series. But I think that is also a positive that a lot of us are actually finding those performances.”
He was candid about their failings but hopeful that lessons would stick before the World Cup.
“The biggest disappointment was the first two games, we didn’t bat well. So, for me, that was the biggest disappointment,” Raza said.
“But what is the positive? I think when we demanded more from each other, we delivered. Unfortunately, we couldn’t string a whole team performance together.
“I think the next few months are very crucial because the more T20 games we play, the more we can form those complete performances where we win more games than lose.
“It’s very important that we try and get those things right quickly so that Zimbabwe go to the World Cup with a winning habit and not just still trying to work at things.”
