Seamers Brian Vitori and Kyle Jarvis look set to bounce back in the Zimbabwe squad for tomorrow’s make or break second One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club.
Vitori, who started his ODI career by taking two five-wicket hauls in his first two games, against Bangladesh, and the consistent Jarvis were both left out of the team that lost the first ODI by five runs to Pakistan on Thursday.
With the pitch at Queens Sports Club, the venue of the first ODI, being more favourable to spin bowling, the selectors opted for just one seamer and three-men spin attack of Prosper Utseya, Greg Lamb and Ray Price.
Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher said the decision was made based on the reputation the Bulawayo pitch has as a spinning surface, but hinted on a different approach as the series comes to the capital.
“I think the decision was justified when you look at the score we restricted them to. The wicket played better than we thought it would. It did not spin as much as we expected and had a little more pace,” Butchers said.
However judging by the way the wicket at Harare Sports Club played against Bangladesh, Butcher said Vitori could come into contention.
“Different conditions in Harare may make us think of a different attack. Vitori’s omission today was tactical, but I’m sure he will play a role in Harare.
“We hope he plays a similar role to the one he played against Bangladesh, taking wickets up front. Pakistan have a more solid batting line-up, so it is hard to expect him to have the same impact. Against better opposition he may have to work harder,” said Butcher.
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Zimbabwe know that there cannot afford to lose this match if they entertain any hopes of winning this series as another slip-up tomorrow will ultimately hand the series to the tourists with one more match to play.
However, skipper Brendan Taylor and his men will be encouraged by the fact that they managed to take the match to the wire before losing way in the final over where they needed 12 runs to win, but made only seven.
