The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
NEWLY appointed Chevrons captain Hamilton Masakadza is excited by the latest challenge to come his way.
The 32 year old batsman was on Friday confirmed as the team’s captain in all formats of the game following the resignation of Elton Chigumbura.
“It feels great, it’s a great honor to lead your country, I am excited to be leading the team,” said Masakadza.
“I believe my experience as a player will help me deal with the challenges that come with captaincy, I am looking forward to it, every game comes with new things.”
Masakadza’s immediate task is to lead the Chevrons at the World T20 qualifiers against Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Scotland in India next month.
The winner of the group will progress to the main tournament.
The in-form captain, who will be deputised by led spinner Graeme Cremer, is confident that team will be Zimbabwe.
“Our chances are high, on paper we are better than those teams, I hope to maintain my form and win games for the team,” he said.
Masakadza became the first Zimbabwean player to clock 3000 T20I runs during his record breaking performance in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, ‘Mudhara Hammy’ as Masakadza is called by his mates, revealed that he feared the advent of T20 cricket would mark the beginning of the end of his career.
“Naturally I play a slow game, I start my innings slowly and when T20 cricket came I thought that was the end of my cricket,” he said.
The opening batsman is now ranked 8th on the T20I batters list, a remarkable turn- around for a player who was dropped from the squad ahead of the home series against Ireland last October.
“I have been working hard on my game and processes; I have always worked on my game and fitness.
“When I was dropped I did not feel out of touch. I didn’t think I was struggling with my game that time, but still I went and worked hard, something I have always done in my career.”
