“They should be playing more matches and big teams like India, Australia and South Africa should play more often. We missed out on the T20 World Cup the last time, but the players and the Zimbabwe Cricket are very excited and happy that we have qualified for it this time.”
Former Zimbabwe coach Lalchand was quoted as saying by the Times of India, providing hope to Zimbabwean cricketers and their fans alike, that their country would play the top-ranked cricketing teams more often.
Zimbabwean cricket has endured a lot fore more than two decades. Political turmoil, corruption and administrative problems have resurfaced in Zimbabwean cricket time and again, but recent limited-overs series victories over higher ranked Bangladesh might have given the struggling African side a glimmer of hope. A hope that they would get to play top-ranked teams even more frequently.
2019 was a tough year for Zimbabwe. Not having qualified for the 50-over World Cup in England was later overshadowed by off-field issues. Back in July 2019, Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating the government interference norms, but as a respite that ban was lifted in October that year, allowing Zimbabwe to take part in future ICC tournaments.
All the off-field issues haunting Zimbabwe meant that they had to forego qualifying for the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The first part of 2022 was largely forgettable as far as their on-field performance is concerned. Barring an ODI win against Sri Lanka in January, series defeats against Sri Lanka, Namibia and Afghanistan put Zimbabwe on the backfoot. However, thus far, the latter part of 2022 has given hope to Zimbabwean cricket. Moreover, Zimbabwe even qualified for the 2022 T20 World Cup after beating Netherlands in the Qualifiers’ final in July this year.
Their recent showing against Bangladesh in the T20I series and the ODI series (where they won 2-1 in both) is a testament that Zimbabwe, despite all the past off-field problems, just cannot be written off.
What next for Zimbabwe?
For Zimbabwe, their journey does not end with the Bangladesh series highs. A three-match ODI series against India starting 18 August provides their cricketers a perfect opportunity to test themselves against some of the best cricketers in the world.
Following the three-match ODI series against India, Zimbabwe travel to Australia for as many ODIs later in August.
“Before we dispersed for a few days after last night’s game, I told the boys in the dressing room that India coming here is a good opportunity for us to really score and get good results against one of the best sides in the world. I told them that, I want us to believe that we aren’t here just to add up to the numbers and watch India play really good cricket, but we are here to challenge. I am hoping in these three games, we can challenge India really hard,” coach David Houghton was quoted as saying by Sportstar, shortly after their ODI series win over Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe do play in the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia, but that will be in the premilinary round ,where they will face Ireland, West Indies and Scotland. Should they put up their best and qualify for the tournament proper (Super 12), that would be Zimbabwe’s biggest challenge yet, over the last few years.
Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza the X-factor
The recently-concluded ODI series saw the rise of a 30-year-old Innocent Kaia, who having made his ODI debut only this year in July, made significant contribution in the first match against Bangladesh, amassing 110 runs. In total, in the ODI series, there were three Zimbabwean centurions in Sikandar Raza (two centuries), Innocent Kaia (1) and Regis Chakabva (1).
It was certainly one to remember for Kaia, who came in at number three in the very first over, and produced a fighting effort with the bat, including productive partnerships with Wesley Madhevere (56) and fellow centurion Sikandar Raza (192).
Raza, meanwhile, has been a revelation for Zimbabwe in limited-overs cricket, and against top-ranked teams, he could be the X-factor and lead his team with example with some aggressive batting. Yes, he may have had endured two ducks recently, but two fifties and two centuries in the six games against Bangladesh should hold Raza in good stead ahead of the India series. Over the last 12 months, Raza has notched up 540 runs at a batting average of 67.50.
Make every opportunity count
It may be worthy to note that Zimbabwe did in fact topple Sri Lanka in the second of three ODIs earlier this year, with a clinical show with both bat and ball. Craig Ervine (91) and Raza (56) were among the half-centurions, while Tendai Chatara and Blessing Muzarabani were among the top wicket-takers that game. That game was a timely reminder of what a team like Zimbabwe, having produced legends like Heath Streak and Brendan Taylor previously, can do on their day against top countries.
Not everyday Zimbabwe face a team like India. The last time when India toured Zimbabwe was back in 2016, under MS Dhoni, for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Zimbabwe’s only victory that series came in the first T20I.
While India may not boast of big names like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue still looks a formidable side with KL Rahul at the helm. For Zimbabwe, this will be a stiff challenge to counter the likes of Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and the others, especially without Blessing Muzarabani in the side.
The setting can’t get better for Zimbabwe at the moment. They play India, travel to Australia next and will they battle it out in the T20 World Cup. For now, it should be about putting the best foot forward against India.
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