SHAMEless CHEVRONS

Lawrence Moyo Head Zimpapers Sports

THE Chevrons suffered a humiliating five-wicket defeat against Uganda in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (Africa) Qualifier in Namibia yesterday, prompting calls for retirements and resignations from cricket lovers on social media.

The Chevrons were expected to walk into the finals, but have now lost two of their three games against minnows.

Zimbabwean cricket fans criticised the players for their lacklustre performance and called for a number of resignations.

Pace bowler Tendai Chatara was the target of attack after a costly 18th over that gave Uganda victory on a platter.

Defending a paltry 136, Zimbabwe had Uganda batting below the required run rate on 107/4 after the 17th over in which Blessing Muzarabani gave away just two runs.

Uganda, going at 6.29 runs an over, needed 30 runs off the last three overs at an average of 10 runs an over.

However, Christmas came a month early for Uganda when Chatara gave away TWENTY runs in the 18th over.

Dinesh Nakrani hit a four off the first ball and then took a single off the second. Riazat Ali Shah then smashed two fours and a six off the next three balls before taking a single off the last ball.

Uganda needed just 10 runs in the last two overs and Chevrons skipper, Sikandar Raza was ruing the decision to bring back Chatara for the crucial over.

When he last bowled in the 15th over, Chatara’s figures were 3-0-23-0 and, given his experience, he was still a useful weapon for Raza, but things went horribly wrong at the worst possible time and the Chevrons are now praying for a miracle.

Nakrani was, undoubtedly, the man of the match for his bowling figures of three wickets for 14 runs in four overs.

It was a second defeat in three games for Zimbabwe, the only Test national team in the qualifiers against outright minnows.

On paper, Zimbabwe were expected to stroll into the finals being jointly staged in the West Indies and the United States.

Now they are virtually out of the running as a miracle will only come via a dramatic collapse by Namibia and Kenya, who have a 100 percent record at the moment with three more matches remaining.

Yesterday, Zimbabwe had another miserable day with the bat, scoring 136/7 off their 20 overs after being sent in by the Ugandans.

Tadiwanashe Marumani being run out, without facing, second ball of the innings was a sign of what was in store as no one reached 50 runs with captain Sikandar Raza the closest. Raza was the highest scorer with 48 off 39 balls while the second highest contribution came from opener Innocent Kaia with 23 off 23 and Sean Williams with 21 off 24.

Fans believe the woeful results in the qualifiers should fast track the exit of players like Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and coach Dave Houghton as this is the lowest the Chevrons can ever sink.

Also under attack is wicketkeeper Clive Madande whose average from 11 T20 international matches is a miserly 9.57 runs and a career best of 18 not out against Ireland at Harare Sports Club in January this year. Seven of his nine batting innings have been single digits.