Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A dominant start, a frustrating finish. Zimbabwe’s Chevrons wrapped up their home T20I series against Namibia with silverware in hand but a sour taste in the mouth, slipping to a 28-run defeat in yesterday’s dead rubber at Queens Sports Club. Captain Sikandar Raza didn’t sugar coat it, admitting the team “wanted to go into the qualifiers with a winning momentum” and fell short.
Raza said the defeat was disappointing because Zimbabwe had targeted a clean sweep to build belief ahead of next week’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, which will also be staged in Bulawayo and Harare. “It hurts because we wanted to go into the qualifiers with a winning momentum,” he said. “But, having said that, you can always find positives and we did. We know where we went wrong and hopefully we can work on that and get better rather than brushing it under the carpet.”
The Chevrons had dominated the opening two games on Monday and Tuesday, sealing the series early with emphatic wins. But in the finale they were outplayed in every department by a determined FNB Eagles outfit desperate to salvage pride.
Raza pinpointed the powerplay as the turning point. “Unfortunately the game went away from us in the power play, but I thought we pulled it back nicely. Just one over in the end and the momentum shifted again. Apart from that, I think we went at six-and-a-halves in 14 overs and unfortunately we went at 16s and 17s in the other six. It was either really good or really poor and we need to be consistent throughout the 20 overs,” he said.
Chevrons coach Justin Sammons shared similar concerns, noting that the pressure o defending small phases in T20 cricket demands sharper execution. “We can’t afford those lapses, especially early on,” Sammons said. “But the fight to drag it back shows character and that’s something to build on.”
Namibia set the tone after winning the toss and batting first. Jan Frylinck blazed to a 13-ball half century, joint third fastest in men’s T20Is, on his way to 77 off 31 balls. Ruben Trumpelmann added 46 from 24 while Alexander Busing-Volschenke chipped in with an unbeaten 20 from 11. The visitors stormed to 85 runs in the first six overs and ended on 204 for seven.
Raza led the Zimbabwe attack with 3 for 25 from four overs. Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani each grabbed a wicket, but none could stem the early assault.
Chasing a steep target, the Chevrons lost both openers inside two overs and never regained momentum. Sean Williams fought hard for his 77 from 45 balls, his 12th T20I fifty and his highest score, but lacked lasting support. Ryan Burl contributed 32 off 24 balls, and no other batter reached double figures. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 176 in 19.5 overs.
JJ Smit ripped through the middle order with figures of 4 for 29, while Trumpelmann and captain Gerhard Erasmus took two wickets each to seal a deserved consolation win for the tourists.
Despite the setback, Raza highlighted several positives. “Our start in the series has been good. Burl’s performance has been one to note. In the finishing role, Musekiwa is coming out really well, and we have been taking wickets in the middle. These are some of the positives we have taken. Williams finally came back, he was sick in the first two games and he spent time in the middle.
His form is crucial. Musekiwa and Burl as well. There is a lot more positive but unfortunately the negatives, for me, have overshadowed the whole series,” he said.
Sammons echoed the captain’s balanced view, praising the emergence of young all-rounder Tashinga Musekiwa and the steady form of Burl and Williams. “This series gave us answers on combinations and roles,” he said.
“It’s important to iron out the inconsistencies before the qualifiers.”
With the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier starting next week, Zimbabwe know what needs fixing, tighter bowling up front and more disciplined batting depth. Yet they can draw confidence from a 2-1 series win and key players hitting form.
