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Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE cricket team coach Andy Waller is wary of the first round hurdle of the ICC T20 World Cup after drawing champions from the associate qualifiers, Ireland, and the ever-improving Netherlands in an exciting Group B. Waller’s men will start their campaign early after they were asked to play in a preliminary round together with hosts Bangladesh based on their positions in the previous World Cup in Sri Lanka.
They will play in Group B where they face Ireland, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates who hosted the qualifying tournament that ended at the weekend.
The hosts for next year’s World Cup Bangladesh head Group A which includes Afghanistan, Hong Kong and surprise packages Nepal who are set to make their maiden appearance at the global cricket showpiece.
The tournament will feature 16 teams next year with the top eight from the previous tournament held in Sri Lanka starting at the Super 10 stage where they are joined by winners from the two groups.
On paper, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are favourites to progress but they will have to brace for tough competition from the associate nations.
However Waller believes T20 cricket is a game of surprises and hopes that his charges will be adequately prepared for the tournament
which begins on March 17 next year.
“This is a tough group. We all know that the teams that we have been grouped with are very good cricketers, which is why they qualified. But with the nature of the game in T20 cricket, it is about the performance on the day,” said Waller.
The Zimbabwe coach said they will be on the watch out for the ascending associate Ireland who are now ranked above Zimbabwe in the T20 rankings.
According to the rankings released on Sunday Ireland maintained their position on ninth while Zimbabwe dropped to 14th. Zimbabwe’s other opponent Netherlands moved three places up to 12th.
Ireland who have been a dominant force among the associates won their third title in four final appearances last weekend after scoring the fourth highest total in T20 international cricket and beat Afghanistan by 68 runs.
Ireland entered history books with their imposing 225/7 which they complemented by dismissing Afghanistan for 157 in 18.5 overs. In 2008, Ireland shared the trophy with the Netherlands, and then went on to win the 2012 tournament by defeating Afghanistan by five wickets in the final.
“Ireland are definitely one of the teams to look out for. They are very good but you cannot ignore the other teams as well. Netherlands have been playing international cricket for some time and they have a number of professionals in their side. UAE also fared well as the host team,” said Waller.
However many of the local players were inactive in the last seven months and Zimbabwe will only get their preparations in motion with the start of the franchise leagues this week. Waller believes the league will give the players a platform to sharpen their skills ahead of the World Cup.
“We should be prepared by the time the World Cup starts with the franchise cricket coming up now. We are hoping to go in camp for two to three weeks before the World Cup to get things done.
“We had some of the players involved overseas especially in Bangladesh. I am sure (Brendan) Taylor is back now but Hamilton Masakadza and Elton Chigumbura are still playing some exciting cricket there, getting the runs and taking the wickets, which is good,” said Waller.
Online Reporter