The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Zimbabwe Cricket team under Chamu Chibhabha will be a “fearless” unit or as the 33-year-old calls it “die trying to win”.
The new white-ball cricket skipper wants a shift in mentality, sooner rather than later and will rather lose trying to be aggressive than sedate as the game has evolved, reckons Chibhabha.
“It’s something I would like to bring into the changing room,” he said.
“I feel like the game has evolved and for us to start winning games we need to catch up with the brand of cricket other teams are playing now.
“It’s a process, yes and I want to bring that positive mindset, and change the current brand of cricket.
“We might fail, here and there, and we are not going to get it overnight, but we will get it right eventually.
“So long as we are prepared to fail, so we can get it right, I believe we can start winning more games.
“If you look at the average scores in ODI cricket, you look at 290s, and if you really want to put a team under pressure, you know you have to score 300-plus,” he said.
Chibhabha and Sean Williams (after the birth of his first child) are expected to join up with the rest of the ODI squad in Bangladesh this week.
Zimbabwe will play Bangladesh in three ODIs between March 1-6 before two T20s on March 9 and 11.
“I can’t wait to lead the team onto the field . . . can’t wait to land in Bangladesh and take on my first task as captain,” said Chibhabha, who was appointed captain in January.
“It’s a big responsibility and I feel honoured and privileged to take on this job.
“I have played for a long time and the appointment has come at the right time.
“When you have played for a long time; you mature as a player, and your understanding of the game is different from when you are a youngster.
“I think it’s going to be enjoyable, considering the experience I have gained over the years.
“Obviously as the leader, responsibility forces you to step up, not only to lead the team, but to back it up with performances.
The Sunday Mail caught up with Chibhabha when he was about to go to his farm, soon after practice with Eagles last week.
He is already planning for life after cricket.
“I will play this game for as long as I can . . . as long as I feel good and my body still feels good.
“When I show up for cricket I give 100 percent, the mindset is the same when am doing whatever I am doing on the side.
“I am not going to play cricket forever; so I need to prepare for life after cricket, I feel it’s important for most of us here.
“With sport anything can happen, at any day, and so you need to make sure your future is set.
‘I think it’s one for the most important things; life after cricket is longer than a cricket career, and I got to work for my kids.”
