adminTHE first four-day match between Zimbabwe A and Pakistan A is set to get underway today in Kwekwe.
The hosts have gone with a young side that includes seven players who were part of the Zimbabwe squad for the Test series against the West Indies in February – Brandon Mavuta, Victor Nyauchi, Milton Shumba, Tanaka Chivanga, Brad Evans, Tanu Makoni and Joylord Gumbie.
The tourists, popularly known as the Pakistan Shaheens, have on the other hand travelled with seven players, among them captain Imran Butt, who have already represented their country in international cricket.
Speaking on the eve of the first four-dayer, Zimbabwe A Coach Stuart Matsikenyeri said he was expecting his charges to produce some strong performances.
“As always, we are quite excited when we get opportunities to play strong sides such as this and Pakistan have always been good to us in the sense that they always bring us really good, strong A sides whenever they come around,” he said.
“If you look at our squad, it is very young, so what we are looking forward to is for our guys to stand up against such quality and produce some really strong performances.
“We have generally in the past year or so been trying our level best to develop a winning culture, so that doesn’t change for these youngsters playing against a strong side.
“Like I said earlier, yes, a young side, but we have got quite a few who have been in and around international cricket.
“They are still at the development stage in international cricket so all of these lessons that they will get from these sides are ever so important and the boys are really looking forward to it as are we as the coaching staff.”
ZIMBABWE ‘A’ SQUAD FOR
FOUR-DAY MATCHES VS
PAKISTAN ‘A’:
Akram Faraz, Campbell Johnathan, Chivanga Tanaka, Evans Brad, Gumbie Joylord, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Roy, Madhevere Wessly, Makoni Tanunurwa, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Mavuta Brandon, Mayavo Nyasha, Munyonga Tony, Myers Dion, Nyauchi Victor, Shumba Milton – zimcricket
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter