Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE Chevrons coach Justin Sammons has backed the Zimbabwe A team’s tour of Bangladesh, saying the main goal is for the country’s emerging players to gain valuable experience and exposure rather than focus only on results.
Zimbabwe A endured a difficult start to the tour after suffering an 85-run defeat to the Bangladesh Emerging side at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium on Monday.
Despite the loss, Sammons believes the bigger picture is far more important, especially for a group of players still developing at international level.
The Chevrons coach is currently in Zimbabwe with the senior national team squad preparing for Bangladesh’s upcoming tour, but he is keeping a close eye on the progress of the Zimbabwe A side. Several players in Bangladesh are also part of his long-term plans for the national team.
“It is very important tour. 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 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 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 includes three 50-over matches and two four-day games, with Zimbabwe Cricket selecting a strong and balanced squad for both formats.
However, the opening match did not go according to plan as Bangladesh Emerging captain Zakir Hasan produced a brilliant century to lead his side to victory in Bogura.
After winning the toss and batting first, Bangladesh piled up a huge total of 364 after being bowled out on the final ball of their innings.
Zakir led the charge with a superb 119 off 97 balls, hitting nine fours and five sixes. He was well supported by Iftakhar Hossain Ifti, who scored 70 from 58 deliveries, while Samiun Basir Ratul added quick runs late in the innings with 41 off just 18 balls.
For Zimbabwe A, fast bowler Ernest Masuku was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 70. Antum Naqvi and Michael Frost claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Zimbabwe A started positively through Innocent Kaia and Matthew Campbell, who put on a 60-run opening partnership. Kaia made 26 while Campbell scored 52.
Bangladesh, however, kept taking wickets at regular intervals and reduced Zimbabwe A to 116 for five in the 25th over.
Wessly Madhevere tried to keep Zimbabwe in the contest with a fighting innings of 116 from 93 balls, but he received little support from the rest of the batting line-up as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 279 in 48.5 overs.
Bangladesh bowlers Rohan Ud Dowla and Ratul starred with the ball after taking three wickets apiece. Dowla finished with figures of three for 72, while Ratul claimed three for 52.
The two sides are set to meet again this afternoon in the second one-day match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium.
The match is scheduled to start at 5am Zimbabwe time.
