BRISBANE — Pool B strugglers Zimbabwe and Pakistan both need to win their match tomorrow to revive fading hopes of scrambling a place in the World Cup cricket quarter-finals.
Zimbabwe can only be chastened after running into a rampant Chris Gayle in their most recent defeat against West Indies on Tuesday.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have had as much trouble off the pitch as on it and are pointless after losing to India and then the Windies.
A succession of controversies has beset their campaign to date, most recently chief selector Moin Khan’s untimely visit to a casino.
The former Test wicketkeeper was subsequently sent home, to be met by an angry throng at Karachi airport, and is having to lie low as more protests take place outside his house.
A senior police official said: “We have deployed some police at Moin’s residence for security reasons because people were causing disturbances.” Moin admitted his mistake, saying: “I went to the casino to have dinner with some friends.
“But in hindsight it was an inappropriate judgment on my part, given the disappointment in the team’s performance at the World Cup.”
There has been little for Zimbabwe to smile about either, save a four-wicket win over UAE.
They have since been blitzed for the first double-century in World Cup history by Gayle — an experience which resulted in an International Cricket Council reprimand for seamer Tendai Chatara for bowling two successive high full-tosses in the final over.
Zimbabwe’s former World Cup captain Alistair Campbell acknowledges the team are in a tough spot going into tomorrow’s match in Brisbane, but still has not given up hope.
“We have plenty to be encouraged by in three-quarters of all three games so far,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the final quarter has been horrendous. Every team in the tournament is struggling to contain batsmen in the ‘death’ overs, but none more than Zimbabwe.
“The match against Ireland [on March 7] is crucial to our chances of progressing, but we will have to beat Pakistan or India, too.
“It is not impossible – far from it. But we will have to find a way of limiting the damage in the final overs. The best way, of course, is to take more early wickets.”
Whatmore knows Pakistan’s strengths and weaknessesSri Lankan born Australian cricketer and Pakistan’s former coach Dav Whatmore who is now coaching Zimbabwe in an ongoing World Cup is trying to lift Zimbabwe on the top.
While talking to media, Dav was questioned about Pakistan’s team weakness but he regret to say anything about the team and said it’s against the policy. But on one question he said: “Misbah is a great player he is playing for long time and has done much for his country, but he didn’t get that much achievement as he deserves”.
While talking about Shahid Afridi he said, “I know him from day first where he played a fastest century in ODI against Sri Lanka I was the coach from Sri Lankan side on that time”.
Tomorrow’s game is the crucial game for both teams where both have to win, but Pakistan have to perform in both batting and bowling departments to be victorious. — PA Sport
