The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
OVER the years, Bulawayo cricket lovers have been denied an opportunity to watch the Zimbabwe national team in action with most of the matches being played in Harare.
It must have come as great news when the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier fixtures were announced with Zimbabwe playing their group matches in Bulawayo. The Chevrons were drawn to face Nepal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Scotland. What delighted the fans even more was the fact that entry into the group matches is free. There was no excuse for the fans not coming out in their numbers.
Come last Sunday when Zimbabwe took on Nepal, Queens Sports Club was packed with fans backing the Graeme Cremer-led team in their opening match of the tournament. By the end of the clash, the ground was buzzing as it was almost full to capacity the fans backing their team. Zimbabwe smashed Nepal by 116 runs.
At the end of the match, ICC officials were wondering where the people had come from since the Zimbabwean matches they have watched on television have been poorly attended.
“Where did all these people come from? When we watched Zimbabwe play against West Indies on TV, the ground was empty,’’ said an ICC employee last Sunday.
Zimbabweans came out again in their huge numbers when the Chevrons faced off against a team that has given them a torrid time, Afghanistan. The Chevrons looked to have thrown it away when they were bowled out for 196 in 43 overs. Afghanistan, beaten by seven wickets by Scotland appeared to be on their way to their first win of the tournament. That was before Zimbabwe turned things around.
Lanky pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani picked up a career — best four wickets for 47 while off spinner Sikandar Raza was second best with three for 40 as Afghanistan lost their last four wickets for just 38 runs.
Left arm seamer Brian Vitori was tasked with bowling the last over from which Afghanistan required four runs. Vitori picked up the last wicket of Shapoor Zadran with the third delivery of the over. Fans could not contain their joy some rushed onto the field of play to congratulate their heroes. The crowd was cleared within seconds from the field of play.
Such a reaction had ICC officials further worried about Zimbabwe’s match against Scotland which was meant to be played at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
After the necessary consultations, ICC announced last Thursday that the blockbuster fixture between the teams fighting to top the group had been shifted to a much bigger Queens Sports Club. Having it at BAC would have meant that some fans had to be locked out of the small venue which cannot accommodate the thousands of fans expected tomorrow.
The Bulawayo cricket fans have sent a strong message to the Zimbabwe Cricket leadership that they love their national team and the Chevrons should play more international matches in the city.
Sadly, the team will play the remaining matches in the tournament in Harare. Whatever transpires in Zimbabwe’s outstanding fixtures, the Bulawayo fans will be satisfied that they played their part in inspiring the players in their quest to make it to next year’s Cricket World Cup in England.
—@Mdawini_29
