ZIMBABWE national cricket team captain, Elton Chigumbura expects an improved performance from his charges during their tour of Bangladesh, which begins with a warm up match tomorrow.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
After their humiliating one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 series defeats to minnows Afghanistan at home recently, Zimbabwe will be looking to redeem itself.
Addressing his first Press conference after the team’s arrival in Dhaka, Chigumbura said he was confident they would pick themselves up after the dismal performance at home and had already shifted their focus to the upcoming three ODIs and two T20s.
“Sometimes series end badly, but the most important thing is to pick yourself up and focus on what’s coming next. We will make sure we play good cricket,” he said in response to questions on how they will attempt to pick themselves up and ahead of this tour.
“Cricket is a funny game, anything can happen on any particular day or series. You can be on top and you can trip over in the next series.”
The dismal performance and different conditions inspired a reshuffle of the squad, as leg-spinner Graeme Creamer, batsman Malcolm Waller and wicketkeeper/batsman Regis Chakabva were recalled to the side, while Brian Chari, Tinotenda Mutombodzi and Christopher Mpofu lost their places.
Zimbabwe coach, Dav Whatmore, who also present at the Press conference, said he backed his players to take lessons learnt from the Afghanistan series into the Bangladesh tour.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“There are always positives from any series,” he said. “We lost 3-2 to a much-improved Afghanistan, but there were some positives from specific individuals and we are keen to bring those forward in the series of matches we will play here,” he said. The former Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan coach admitted his charges faced a difficult tour against a home side, which has already beaten South Africa and India in the last six months.
“We know who we are up against,” Whatmore said. “Bangladesh enjoyed a tremendous World Cup, probably a hint of some luck due to the washed up game at Brisbane. Yet they played some good cricket and deservedly made it to the quarter-finals.”
Zimbabwe held their first training session in Dhaka yesterday and will play their first warm-up match tomorrow against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah.
The ODIs will be played on November 7, 9 and 11 followed by the T20s on November 13 and 15 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Zimbabwe squad: Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Chamu Chibhabha, Tendai Chisoro, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Neville Madziva, Wellington Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams
