TWO days after concluding a three-match One-Day International cricket series in Harare against Ireland, Zimbabwe head straight into action when they meet Afghanistan in the first of five ODIs at Queens Sports Club this morning.
It should be an interesting battle considering that last year Afghanistan came back from 2-0 down to level the four-match contest 2-2 at the same venue.
That embarrassing series result against a team that was accorded ODI status in 2013 saw Zimbabwe sack their coach Andrew Waller, his job taken up by Stephen Mangongo, who was replaced at the end of last year by Sri Lanka-born Australian Dave Whatmore.
Zimbabwe have played a lot of cricket this year, something the local cricketers have been crying for as they believe that will improve their game.
Elton Chigumbura the Zimbabwe captain, said they had no qualms with taking on Afghanistan soon after playing against Ireland as that is what they have always wanted.
Chigumbura predicted a high-scoring series since the wicket at Queens has over the years proven to be a flat track.
“Playing a lot of cricket is what we have always been asking for. Queens has always been a flat wicket so we are expecting a high scoring series.
“We are looking to improve in all departments, play our best cricket, we want to win all matches,’’ said Chigumbura.
Afghanistan have been in Zimbabwe and are in high spirits following a 2-1 triumph over the Zimbabwe Chairman XI in a three-match practice series at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The fast improving Asians have been boosted by the appointment of Pakistan batting great Inzamam-ul-Haq as their head
Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai yesterday said they really appreciate the opportunity granted to them by Zimbabwe Cricket to play international cricket in the country where they are looking to play good cricket and win the series.
The contest is a welcome relief to the cricket fans in Bulawayo who have not watched any international cricket for over a year as all the action in the country this year has been limited to Harare.
As the national selectors look to build a team for the future by dropping the non-performing veterans, left-handed all-rounder Tendai Chisoro has been rewarded for his brilliant display for Chairman’s XI against Afghanistan with a national team call-up.
Chisoro (27), a left-handed middle order batsman who also bowls left arm seam, has nine years experience of first class cricket, but has never played for the senior national team.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura(captain), Sikandar Raza, Brian Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tendai Chiroso, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Neville Madziva, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami(wicketkeeper), Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Seam Williams
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam, Amir Hamza, Asghar Stanikzai(captain), Dawlat Zadran, Fareed Ahmad, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Shahzad(wicketkeeper), Najibullah Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Shapoor Zadran