Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Chevrons coach Justin Sammons has thrown his full weight behind the Zimbabwe A cricket side’s tour of Bangladesh, stressing the importance of the country’s fringe players gaining some experience and exposure rather than bringing back results.
Zimbabwe A got off to a rocky start on their tour, when they went down to Bangladesh’s Emerging side by 85 runs at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium on Monday.
However, Sammons is probably not going to lose much sleep over the result as he prefers to keep his eye on the big-ger picture. He is currently in the country with the Zimbabwe Chevrons’ training squad as preparations for the Bangladesh senior side’s visit hots up.
Sammons has vested interest in the Zimbabwe A tour, as a few of his players were selected for the side to give them much-needed game time.
“It is very important tour,” said Sammons.
“It is a huge, important, and great opportunity for our guys to go over there and learn in different conditions.
“They now have the opportunity to play against, obviously, quality opposition, and there is no substitute for that.
“It is the kind of step up which we have always wanted for the emerging talent.
“The tour is ultimately about learning and making sure that they come back here having gained from that experience rather than just the results.
“The exposure and experience they will have gained is something that they can then take into international cricket if it comes their way,” he said.
The Zimbabwe A tour entails three 50-over and two four-day matches with Zimbabwe Cricket naming a rather strong and well-balanced squad for both formats.
Sadly, the tour did not go as envisioned, as Bangladesh Emerging side’s captain Zakir Hasan struck a superb century as to guide his side to an 85-run victory in the series opener at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura on Monday.
After batting first, Zakir smashed 119 runs off 97 balls, laced with nine fours and five sixes.
He received strong support from Iftakhar Hossain Ifti, who made 70 off 58 deliveries, while Samiun Basir Ratul pro-vided late fireworks with a brisk 41 off just 18 balls.
This saw the hosts pile up a formidable 364, this despite being bowled out on the final ball of their innings.
For Zimbabwe A, pacer Ernest Masuku was the stand-out bowler with figures of three wickets for 70 runs, while An-tum Naqvi and Michael Frost picked up two wickets each.
In reply, Zimbabwe A made a steady start through Innocent Kaia (26) and Matthew Campbell (52), who shared a 60-run opening stand.
However, Bangladesh struck at regular intervals after the breakthrough, reducing Zimbabwe ‘A’ to 116-5 in the 25th over.
Wessly Madhevere waged a lone battle with a brilliant 116 runs off 93 balls, but found little support from the other end as Zimbabwe ‘A’ were eventually bowled out for 279 in 48.5 overs.
Pacer Rohan Ud Dowla and left-arm spinner Ratul starred with the ball for Bangladesh, claiming three wickets each.
Dowla finished with figures of three wickets for 72 runs, while Ratul finished with three for 52.
The two teams will meet again this afternoon in the second one-day international which will again be played at Sha-heed Chandu Stadium.
The match starts at 5am Zimbabwean time.
