adminZIMBABWE senior national cricket team coach Davenell Whatmore is determined to settle scores with Afghanistan when the two teams meet from Friday in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates although the expatriate mentor has conceded the affair would not be a stroll in the park.
When Afghanistan visited the country in October, they became the first International Cricket Council Associate nation to record a One Day International series victory over a Full Member with a 3-2 triumph in the ODIs and also in the two-match Twenty20 International contest which they won 2-0. All the matches were staged at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The contest at a neutral venue gives Zimbabwe an opportunity to make up for those embarrassing defeats at home. Whatmore has already made it clear that they wanted to do so in a convincing manner.
“We want to return the compliment comprehensively. We lost 3-2 so it’s not going to be a catwalk, we have to really do well to beat them,’’ said Whatmore.
The national team went into camp in Harare on Tuesday after the players turned out for their provincial teams in 50 over matches last Sunday. They head off to UAE on Tuesday.
All rounder Sean Williams was withdrawn from camp as he is suffering from bursitis which is an inflammation which occurs on a joint. His place has been taken up by left arm spinner Tendai Chisoro who was playing a match for MidWest Rhinos against Matabeleland Tuskers at Bulawayo Athletic Club which concluded last Friday.
From the team which went to Bangladesh, veteran Hamilton Masakadza has been recalled while Peter Joseph Moor has also got the nod. Missing from the Bangladesh trip are off spinner John Nyumbu and wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.
Wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami who was forced to return home from the tour of Bangladesh has made good recovery to make the trip to UAE.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan meet at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in five ODIs and two T20Is. The ODIs are scheduled for 25, 29 December as well as 2, 4 and 6 January while the T20Is will be played on 8 and 10 January.
Zimbabwe squad
Elton Chigumbura(captain), Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tinashe Panyangara, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Taurai Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chisoro, Peter Joseph Moor(wicketkeeper), Richmond Mutumbami(wicketkeeper) Craig Ervine.
Online Reporter