The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda in Harare
A WEEK ago, Zimbabwe looked destined to suffer a third consecutive One Day International cricket series defeat to Afghanistan when they lost the second ODI at Harare Sports Club by 54 runs.
On that day, they folded for 184 in pursuit of 239 to win. They had been beaten in the opening match of the contest by 12 runs through the Duckworth/Lewis method when they lost four early wickets in pursuit of 216 to win. Last Tuesday, Zimbabwe refused to back down early as they fought their way back to beat Afghanistan by three runs in defence of a paltry 129 runs.
On Friday, the series was level at 2-2 with the home team triumphant by seven wickets through the D/L method in a fixture was affected by rain and had to be reduced to a 42-over affair. The Zimbabwean bowlers have been in magnificent form throughout the series which has seen them bowl out Afghanistan three times in the four matches played so far. On Friday, they blew away the opposition for 111 runs after bowling out for 126 on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe can build on the results of the last two victories to win a first ever series over Afghanistan. In 18 matches played between the two teams since 2014, Afghanistan have won 10 while Zimbabwe have triumphed 8 time. In 2014, the four match contest at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo ended 2-2 before Afghanistan won 3-2 at the same venue in 2015.
The Asians achieved the same result when the two teams met at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates.
Ahead of today’s decider, coach Heath Streak and captain Graeme Cremer have spoken of the hunger within the team to finish off the series on a high note. Of concern is still the batting unit which has not really fired.
“Our bowling has been excellent in all four games, it was just a matter of getting our top order to get us some runs, the last game we weren’t good enough but we fought till the end, we knew cricket is a funny game, you never know what will happen, we just need our batting to fire. We will take a lot of confidence from the last game and this game into the so called final on Sunday, guys are hungry to win, we know we shouldn’t lose to these guys, guys are hungry enough, I don’t have to say anything to anyone, hopefully we will fly the flag high,’’ said Cremer after Friday’s victory.
Streak yesterday said there was self-belief within his team to end the series on a winning note. He described today’s match as being a tough contest but they were hoping to carry on the positives from the last two matches they have won.
“We are confident but hungry to finish on a high. Still it will be a tough match and we are hoping we can keep the positivity from the last two wins. The biggest turnaround for us has been our mental approach,’’ said Streak.
For Afghanistan there is lots of pressure on them to preserve their record against Zimbabwe. Former skipper Mohammad Nabi praised the Zimbabwean bowlers who are bowling superbly and in the right areas. Nabi said they were counting on the fact that they have always won the last ODI against Zimbabwe in the two series where they triumphed 3-2.
“If you see the last few series against Zimbabwe, it is always close, we enjoy that kind of cricket as well and hopefully we will come strongly in the fifth game,’’ said Nabi.
In a bid to have as many people coming through to back the national team, Zimbabwe Cricket yesterday announced that entry into Harare Sports Club will be free from the time the gates open until 11am.
Squads
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer(captain), Peter Moor(wicketkeeper), Ryan Burl, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Christopher Mpofu, Nathan Waller, Craig Ervine, Solomon Mire, Richard Ngarava, Carl Mumba, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams
Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai(captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shaheedi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Kareem Janat, Dawlat Zadran, Farid Ahmad, Aftab Alam
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