The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
IT is nearly 100 days since Blessing Muzarabani announced his grand return to international cricket with a sublime performance during Zimbabwe’s only victory of their tour of Pakistan late last year.
In a game with two centuries, two fivers, a tie and a Super Over, Muzarabani made all the difference as Zimbabwe pulled off the unlikeliest of wins in the third and final One Day International via the one-over shootout.
Centuries from Sean Williams and Babar Azam had left the teams locked on 278 each after 100 overs, after which “Mabhunu’’, as Muzarabani is affectionately called in cricket circles, came back to claim two more wickets and concede just two runs during the Super Over.
By the time Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza stepped onto the crease, needing just three runs for victory, the game was all, but over.
And now, nearly 100 days later, Muzarabani’s memory of the game is a bit hazy, but he remembers the key moments of the tie — “the important parts”, as he puts it.
“I remember only one thing, and that is the Super Over,” said Muzarabani.
“I just wanted to win the game, given that we had come so far, and that desire to win is probably what gave me that extra dose of adrenaline and helped us cross the line,” he said.
Muzarabani also credits his skipper, Chamu Chibhabha, who did not hesitate to give him the ball and called him aside for a quick chat.
“For the Super Over, Chamu handed me the ball and made the decision for me to bowl,” said the seamer.
“He said to me: ‘you have been bowling well, and I believe it’s only right that you take the over.’
“He told me things that really boosted my confidence, and said, ‘whatever happens, happens, just back yourself and do the best you can.’
“That really helped,” he said.
Since Muzarabani’s Rawalpindi heroics, a lot has happened.
Zimbabwe went on to lose the ODI series 2-1 and got whitewashed 3-0 in the Twenty20 series.
A second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and the country is now back on lockdown.
However, Muzarabani’s heroics did not go unnoticed, with reputable cricket website ESPNcricinfo awarding him the best ODI bowling performance for his five for 49 (and two for two in the Super Over).
The award put Muzarabani in the same league as Australia’s Josh Hazelwood (Men’s Test bowling) and Glen Maxwell (Men’s ODI batting), England’s Johnny Bairstow (Men’s T20 batting) and India’s Ajinkya Rahane (Men’s Test batting).
He is still to find an ideal place for the match ball, opting to keep it close to him in his room for the time being.
“Yes, I am aware of the award and don’t really want to put too much thought into it.
“While grateful for the acknowledgement, I want more.
“The goal is to keep moving, keep improving and keep winning games and help my team and inspire the younger generation of cricketers.
“The most important thing is that I want to win more games,” he said.
He touched on his performance.
“It was one of those memorable games, and people still talk about it.
“It was one of my best performances and I sometimes find myself thinking about it.”
As was the case when he was in the United Kingdom last year, Muzabarani finds himself on lockdown again.
The only difference is he is back home and closer to his family.
“There isn’t much of a difference between this particular lockdown in Zimbabwe and the one I experienced in the UK.
“The pandemic is very much the same everywhere, and it has taken a lot of lives.
“It pains me sometimes when I hear the numbers.
“I don’t really miss the UK; I am happy that I am back home and closer to my friends and family.
“While it would be nice to see some of my old mates in the UK, should the opportunity present itself, home is best,” he said.
The cricketer is already working on his game and to regain fitness.
He welcomed the Government’s decision to approve Zimbabwe’s match against Afghanistan.
