Zim expected to bring ‘A’ game to second one-dayer

ZIMBABWE Select’s performance on Wednesday in the first one-day match against Pakistan ‘A’ at Harare Sports Club is something that they will have to work on going into today’s second game.

Despite securing a 24-run win, the team was rusty mainly due to lack of activity and they will have to dust themselves up and bring their ‘A’ game starting today and going forward. The Select team is a squad of seasoned campaigners and more is expected from them.

Zimbabwe last played competitive international cricket two months back when they hosted Netherlands and are using the six-match series as part of their preparations for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 to be held on home soil next month.

The lengthy lay off was on display as the players, especially the batters, looked rusty and therefore a lot needs to be done going into today’s encounter. The batters will have to find their feet again and give their all.

The top order of Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Craig Ervine will have to bring their best game after making scores of nine, one and 10 respectively and will be hoping to come in good to lay the foundation for the middle order batters.

After a strong start from the visitors which left the hosts struggling on 64/5, it took a special Ryan Burl and Clive Madande sixth wicket partnership to help Zimbabwe reach a defendable total. Burl was on song with his solid fighting knock of 69 runs off 68 deliveries which became the high score while Madande made 34 off 55 balls to help their side finish on 234 all out in 45,3 overs.

The Zimbabwe Select must bat through the 50 overs and not be bowled out like what happened in the first match.

Zimbabwean bowlers, like before, came in good and fought back to restrict the visitors to 210 runs all out in 47 overs. It took two brilliant innings from veteran, Tendai Chatara and the skipper, Wellington Masakadza to wipe out Pakistan ‘A’. Chatara finished with figures of 5/37 while Masakadza took three scalps for 32 runs in his 10 over spell.

In today’s match, the star-studded Zimbabwean team should look to bat out their 50 overs and avoid losing wickets in the first powerplay which will give them a good foundation for a good score. The bowlers have shown that they can do the job, it’s now up to the batters to follow suit and give it their all.
Sean Williams showed his skill but was under pressure, Burl, Madande, Chatara, Masakadza came in good and will be hoping that others join the party and see the team through today.

The second 50-over game is scheduled to start at 9.30am at Harare Sports Club and a good performance will be a crucial confidence booster for the World Cup Qualifiers.

The World Cup Qualifiers will see 10 teams competing for the two remaining places at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India later in the year. The matches will be staged across four venues in Harare and Bulawayo from 18 June to 9 July. — @brandon_malvin.