Zim eye Afghanistan scalp

THE need to avoid embarrassment tops Zimbabwe’s agenda as the visiting Afghanistan cricket team begins their tour of duty with a warm-up match against Zim A at Bulawayo Athletic Club today. The visitors will engage Zim A again on Tuesday before meeting the national team in four One Day Internationals at Queens Sports Club.

Regis Chakabva, the Zimbabwe A skipper, last week expressed confidence in his lads, declaring that they will be out to crush the Associate nation’s confidence.

“We know Afghanistan are a good side; they will be a good challenge, but we will be looking to win and will play positive cricket. We are looking at setting the tone for the senior team.

“If guys do well in the warm-up games, they will likely get a call-up to the national side; so I am sure they will have that at the back of their minds as well,” said Chakabva.

National team skipper Brendan Taylor echoed the same message, saying they hope to play their best game to avoid the ignominy of losing to an Associate nation at home.

“If our A side comes out with some victories, then it gives us some confidence and an idea of how they (Afghanistan) are going to play and we can do our homework.

“We have to respect them; they do have some match-winning players who have been successful in Pakistan and some tournaments.
“I think they are a side that’s improving, but we play a lot better at home. So if we play our best cricket, there is no reason why we can’t win convincingly,’’ said Taylor.

The skipper highlighted the importance of Zimbabwe getting into the groove ahead of the visit of South Africa.
“It’s exciting to be playing again, you know; it’s frustrating not playing enough.

“It’s good to have some match practice and some pretty decent competition before South Africa and Australia come, which is going to be massive for us. So any sort of match preparation is vital for any player,’’ he said.

The Queens Sports Club pitch is similar to Sub-Continent conditions, a dry slow track that could be a bonus for the visitors and Taylor is aware of the challenge.
“At this time of the year, it’s quite tricky,” said Taylor.

“In winter, the conditions can be quite difficult for batting, so the toss will be important.
“It is a ground that can be suited to Sub-Continent conditions, with the ball not bouncing and we should take that into consideration.”

Meanwhile, Taylor has lauded all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, who is set to become the seventh Zimbabwean batsman to score 3 000 ODI runs.

“He has been a valuable player for us for a long time, you know, and it will be good to see him stringing together more consistent performances.

“We know the ability of Elton, he has been working hard. I am sure there are some big results around the corner,’’ Taylor said.
Fixtures:

Today 1st warm-up match: Zimbabwe A v Afghanistan (BAC)
Tuesday July 15 2nd warm-up: Zimbabwe A v Afghanistan (BAC)
Friday July 18 1st ODI:
Zimbabwe v Afghanistan (Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo)
Sunday July 20 2nd ODI:
Zimbabwe v Afghanistan
Tueday July 22 3rd ODI:
Zimbabwe v Afghanistan
Thursday July 24 4th ODI:
Zimbabwe v Afghanistan.