adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
MINOR permutations need to be made in Zimbabwe’s approach to the one-day cricket series against Pakistan if the men in red want to improve from their spirited performances in the just-ended Twenty20 series. A higher level of batting instincts and innings’ consistency separated the two sides in the back-to-back two match T20 series which Pakistan won 2-0, but a lot of positives came out of the matches, showing that there isn’t much to separate the two sides in the longer version of the game.
Zimbabwe made good starts in the build up of each innings in both occasions, getting half century partnerships for the first wicket.
That is not easy, facing lethal bowling attack from the world number two ranked side in the format, but unfortunately, these starts did not convert to personal milestones of bigger partnerships down the order.
One tactical flaw that will need to be corrected in the oncoming series, in the selection process, was sitting out the feisty in-form Sikander Raza and replacing him with Timycen Maruma.
Maruma is a steady batsman in the longer version of cricket but when a Howitzer is needed, Raza is the man to this give a quick-fire innings.
Zimbabwe, at most times, needed 10 runs an over and having an inconsistent slow scorer in the middle order was a costly oversight.
Nothing but praise should be given to our bowlers, even Pakistan’s Talisman Ahmed Shehzad acknowldeged how he had to fight valiantly for his back-to-back match-winning half centuries as Andy Waller’s men maintained their tempo from the Indian tour — even in the absence of front liner Kyle Jarvis.
“I think they bowled very well in the beginning especially in the powerplays and the fielding was good. Even though some of the bowlers do not have express pace, they were trying very hard, hitting the channels, bowling in the right areas with some Yorkers that made it difficult to connect the ball,” said Shehzad.
Zimbabwe may not have an Umar Gul’s or Junaid Khan in the bowling attack but it boasts a new breed of young fast bowlers. One such who shone in the first game of theT20 series is Mountaineers’ Tendai Chatara, who ripped through Pakistan top order in two consecutive overs.
When a player is in form it is not a prudent to replace him as what the selectors did when they picked Shingirai Masakadza in the second match.
Such questionable decisions show that there may have been mixed approaches to the series and in the end all these over-sites in addiction to minor errors on the field accumulated to an unnecessary gap between the two sides.
Realistically, on any day, it will be a daunting task to face Pakistan bowlers and it is a heritage they have maintained for two decades. Unlike India which boats of depth in their batting, Pakistan has the world’s best fast bowlers and thorny spinners.
Shehzad said in a press conference that his team is taking the one day series very seriously and that they will employ an all out attack on Zimbabwe, which is likely to have Saeed Ajmal, former skipper Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Junaid Khan.
In the ODI and Test series, the team will be led by veteran game changer Misbah-ul-Haq and it will be another tall order for Zimbabwe.
It will be up to the experience of the top six batsmen to mitigate whatever arsenal of bowling Misbah will bring.
The comforting factor for Zimbabwe is that Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza showed signs of recovery from India’s whitewash series and the stability they showed will be invaluable.
Pakistan coach Dave Whatmore had mentioned that his charges face consistency problems in their batting, a problem Zimbabwe also has, therefore the playing field to a minor extent is level, with the highest scoring team guaranteed of better chances of a victory.
The first of three ODIs takes place at Harare Sports Club tomorrow with the second and third matches following in quick succession on Thursday and Saturday.
Online Reporter