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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
THE Chevrons came short, in their pursuit for an historic series win yesterday but captain Sean Willams feels his men should feel proud with the way they fought against one of the giants of world cricket.
A 24-run defeat, in the decider at Harare Sports Club, meant Zimbabwe could not complete their fairy-tale comeback, which started with a stunning 11-run win on Friday, with a series win yesterday.
But, Williams said there was no shame in the defeat.
“We have had a very good series with a young side,” said Williams. “I think it’s exciting for us as Zimbabwe.
“We’ve got some talented young batsmen like Wesley Madhevere and a good group of bowlers.
“I think if we keep giving them these opportunities, I think we will get there.
“In the middle period, we had to attack the spinners more aggressively, but we’re getting there.
“This is the first series against Pakistan for a number of the guys. Brilliant series, and we’ve
done nothing but improve.”
Wesley Madhevere’s battling half century, and a fine cameo by teenage sensation, Tadiwanashe Marumani, could not fire Zimbabwe to the historic victory the Chevrons were chasing.
However, the performances of the youthful duo, in a losing cause, showed the game’s future could be very bright.
Pakistan rallied back to claim the Osaka Batteries T20I series with a 24-run win at Harare Sports Club.
The Zimbabwe cricket team was shown that experience, at this level, matters after they lost the series 1-2.
There were moments when it appeared Zimbabwe could overhaul Pakistan’s 165/3 yesterday but they, somehow came short.
They had a bright start in the chase with Madhevere (59) playing a brilliant innings, after he was asked to open, alongside Tarisai Musakanda, who returned to the team last week, as a replacement for the injured Craig Ervine.
But, the target always looked daunting, considering how the batsmen had struggled for runs, during the series.
Pakistan won the crucial toss and batted first at a ground where the chasing team has lost in all three matches.
Their opening batsman, Mohammad Rizwan (91 not out) and his captain Babar Azam (52), showed class with the bat while Hasan Ali, came in with the ball to claim the man-of-match Match award with his 4/18.
Rizwan was named man-of-the-series for scoring two half tons during the tour.
With the benefit of hindsight, yesterday’s game appeared up for the taking for both sides.
But, it was all dependent on who managed the pressure well.
“I feel like I had a better chance if I took the bowlers on, so I did,” said Madhevere. “I had a couple of chats with the coaches about how to start an innings and work my way through the overs.
“also learn from players like Babar Azam, which helps me.
“It’s a positive for me, but it’s also frustrating, we’re a young side and, hopefully, in the future, we’ll get ourselves across the line in these matches.”
Despite the pressure that had been put on the hosts, there was something refreshing about how the young Zimbabwe top order went about their business, in the chase.
Madhevere featured in two partnerships yesterday and played a central role in Zimbabwe’s innings.
The intention was clear in the powerplay overs — positive cricket.
Unfortunately, Musakanda (10) fell early in the 37-run first wicketpartnership.
Madhevere, who was playing in his ninth T20I since he made the debut against Bangladesh last year, then engaged in an exciting 65-run partnership with 19-year old Tadiwa Marumani, who made his T20I debut last week.
The two young batsmen demonstrated that the future of cricket in Zimbabwe could be in safe hands with some exquisite batting.
Zimbabwe were slightly better than Pakistan in their chase.
They were 48/1 at the end of the six overs and 78/1 after 10 overs.
In comparison, Pakistan were on 43/1 at the end of the powerplay overs and 66/1 after 10 overs.
But, as the asking run rate continued to escalate, it meant the Zimbabweans needed to put the foot in the tank.
The Chevrons innings suffered a huge disruption when Mahommad Hasnain broke the thriving second wicket partnership between Madhevere and Marumani, which yielded 65 runs, from 51 deliveries.
Marumani was bowled out by Hasnain, after an exciting cameo, which yielded 35 runs from 26 balls.
Madhevere’s innings also came to an end soon afterwards, after mistiming a slower ball from Hasan Ali, to leave Zimbabwe on 103/2, midway through the 13th over.
Ali also claimed new batsman Regis Chakabva (0) and Sean Williams (9), as pressure was back on the home side.
He had earlier on made the breakthrough for Pakistan by removing opener, Musakanda.
Madhevere’s 50, off 37 balls, was his second T20I half century.
Interestingly, his first was against Pakistan again, last year.
There were also two wickets for Haris Rauf as Pakistan put Zimbabwe under intense pressure.
Williams returned to the fold yesterday after missing Friday’s sensational 11-run win because of injury.
Opening batsman, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, was left out to create the room for the returning captain.
The tourists bounced back from last Friday’s disappointing defeat with a fine all-round performance.
Rizwan continued with his prolific form in this format and reached his half century from 39 deliveries.
He found good company in skipper, Azam, who also reached a new personal milestone by becoming the fastest batsman to reach the 2 000-run mark, during the innings.
It took him 52 innings to achieve the feat.
The two made sure the scoreboard kept ticking and at some point, there was no dot ball for the 24 successive deliveries they faced.
Unfortunately, Azam could not carry his bat all the way as he was removed by Luke Jongwe, in the last over.
Jongwe, who has been in good form during the series, had a strong final over as he claimed another wicket, with the next ball, he bowled to Fakhar Zaman.
He claimed all the three wickets for Zimbabwe but at the expense of 37 runs.
Azam was relieved by the win.
“It was a team effort. Rizwan and I wanted to take it deep, and I thought we finished very well.
”When I went in to bat, the wicket looked better than the first two games.”
Online Reporter