The Sunday News
MATABELELAND Tuskers top order batsman Brian Chari has expressed his joy after being named in Zimbabwe senior national cricket team’s 17-man Test squad for the tour to Bangladesh saying his inclusion was a dream come true.
In an interview ahead of the team’s departure for the Asian nation on Thursday, Chari revealed that like any other young cricketer it has always been his dream to represent his country.
“It is a great feeling, it has been my dream ever since I was a child, it is every player’s dream to play for their country,’’ said Chari.
Having missed out on donning the national colours at the 2010 International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, the Bulawayo born Chari had continued to work hard over the years.
Since he made his first class debut for Tuskers against Southern Rocks at Masvingo Sports Club in October 2011 Chari has worked hard over the years to catch the eyes of the selectors.
He scored 116 runs against Midwest Rhinos in an 89 run defeat at Kwekwe Sports Club in March this year which was his maiden first class hundred.
Chari impressed the national selectors with his batting for Zimbabwe A during their tour to Bangladesh where they played Bangladesh A last month. In the two four-day matches, the right handed batsman was the highest run scorer from either side with 174 runs from four innings at an average of 43.5 with a best score of 74 runs.
However, the young batsman was not happy with his performance on that Zimbabwe A visit to Bangladesh as he felt he could have converted some of his innings to big scores.
After his selection for the three Test matches against Bangladesh, Chari says he was now looking forward to making his entrance onto the Test arena.
If he does make his debut against the Tigers, Chari will become the second player from Bulawayo to make his first appearance in the longer version of the game after off-spinner John Nyumbu did so against South Africa in the only Test match at Harare Sports Club.
Chari is one of the two players in the squad yet to play international cricket, the other being 21-year-old left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.
“I am looking to make my Test debut not only to play but to have a good start to my international cricket career,’’ said Chari.
National team coach Stephen Mangongo said Chari has done well for Zimbabwe A to warrant selection into the senior team. Mangongo felt that with the team struggling in terms of top order batting, Chari and returning Craig Ervine, might proffer a solution.
Chari, who grew up in Bulawayo’s high-density suburb of Nguboyenja, did his primary school education at Losikeyi Primary School before he proceeded to the school of cricket in Bulawayo, Milton High School.
He took up cricket at the age of 10, and Edwin Mtshayisa, who is now based in South Africa, was his first coach at Losikeyi.
Still considered a patient batsman, Chari is due to return home at the conclusion of the three Test series. But if he performs exceptionally well, the selectors might consider him for the five-match One-Day Internationals.
