ZIMBABWE not only have their task cut out when they meet neighbours South Africa today, but they will also need a favour from Canada if they want to proceed to Super League quarter-finals of the International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup. SPORRTS REPORTER
The youth team’s quarter-final hopes received a severe battering on Sunday after slumping to a crushing 167-run loss against West Indies in their second Group C match in Abu Dhabi.
Despite Sunday’s defeat, Zimbabwe, who beat Canada in their first match on Friday are mathematically still in the fray for a Super League quarter-final place.
But for that to happen, Malcolm Lake’s charges will first have to beat a confident South African side that is yet to lose a match in this tournament and then hope a winless Canada side post an unlikely win against West Indies.
Zimbabwe could have gone into today’s match with their destiny in their own hands had their batsmen applied themselves better against West Indies’ pace attack on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 275 runs, Zimbabwe’s batting order crumbled to a paltry 108 in 39,4 overs.
“We started badly with both bat and ball,” coach Walter Chawaguta said yesterday.
“This game is all about momentum and we didn’t have any against West Indies. We lost wickets too early in our chase and ended up having to play catch-up,” said Chawaguta whose side now looks destined for the lower tier Plate Championship quarter-finals.
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Log leaders South Africa, who comfortably beat West Indies and Canada in their two group matches will be well aware of the potential Zimbabwe has of causing an upset. Zimbabwe, led by their spinners have shown the ability to punch above their weight if given a chance.
