The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE get another chance to make it to the next round of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup when they square off against winless Pakistan in a Pool B encounter at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in Brisbane, Australia this morning. Fifth in the seven-team group with two points secured from a four wicket triumph over lowly-rated United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe square off against a struggling Pakistan led by top order batsman Misbah ul Haq. Pakistan have found the going tough at the tournament with losses to India and West Indies.
A win for the Elton Chigumbura captained Zimbabwe will increase their hopes of making it past the group phase of the event, something they last did in 2003 when the tournament was staged in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
While their batting has been a marvel to watch even in the lost matches against South Africa and West Indies, Zimbabwe’s bowling and fielding has been a major concern which has seen them concede a lot of runs especially in the crucial last 10 overs of the opposition innings. This saw them chase more than 300 runs against South Africa and West Indies.
Coach Davenell Whatmore has a lot of considerations to make as regards to his bowling department ahead of this must win fixture against Pakistan. His frontline seamers Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara were expensive against West Indies with Chatara even taken off the bowling by the umpires for bowling too high pitched deliveries. Part time seamer Hamilton Masakadza had to finish the last over and claimed the wicket of record breaking Christopher Gayle who smashed the first double century at the Cricket World Cup.
Experienced Tawanda Mupariwa, a medium pace bowler who thrives on accuracy and a deceptive slower ball is most likely to replace one of the two frontline bowlers.
Leg spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi has also proved ineffective in the three matches he has played in with just one wicket to his name and chances are high he could be dropped for today’s match. Prosper Utseya, the country’s best slow bowler for years has not had a run at the tournament with concerns on whether he was still as effective after being forced to change his bowling action. Utseya is not allowed to bowl his off spin which is his biggest strength and is now bowling a mixture of leg spin as well as medium pace.
Zimbabwe will look to the batting exploits of Regis Chakabva, Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine while skipper Chigumbura has not yet lived up to his all round role of contributing with the bat in the middle order and chipping in with some pace bowling.
Opening batsman Chamunorwa Chibhabha and all rounder Solomon Mire have been struggling with injuries and if now fully fit they are sure to make a return to the starting line up.
Even though they have struggled, Pakistan are still a dangerous side capable of beating the world’s best. Ul Haq, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, big hitting Shahid Afridi, wicketkeeper Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan and the fit again opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad are the key players for Pakistan going into the clash.
After Pakistan, Zimbabwe meet Ireland on Saturday and round off their group campaign with a clash against India a week later.
Squads
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura(captain), Regis Chakabva(wicketkeeper), Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Solomon Mire, Tawanda Mupariwa, Tinashe Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor(wicketkeeper), Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams
Pakistan: Misbah ul Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Rahat Ali, Sarfaz Ahmed, Shadid Afridi, Sohail Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal(wicketkeeper), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan.
