The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE are in dreamland following their stunning win over Pakistan at the ongoing International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup where they might go all the way to the final.
Last Thursday, the Chevrons held their nerve to defend a lowly 130 and beat Pakistan by one run at the Perth Stadium. After their encounter with neighbours South Africa failed to produce a result because of rain, which saw both teams pick up a point, Zimbabwe head into their third encounter in the tournament’s Super 12, Group 2 against Bangladesh at the Brisbane Cricket Ground fired up.
Zimbabwe are third in Group 2 with three points and should things go their way in their remaining three matches, they could make even more history by sealing a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals for the first time ever. Already, the Chevrons have achieved a first by making it past the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, something they had tried and failed to achieve five times before.
A win over Pakistan is no mean achievement seeing that the Asians were winners of the second edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2009. Great possibilities lie ahead for Zimbabwe, with even the likelihood of appearing in the final very much a reality for Dave Houghton’s men. If Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh and Netherlands and their match against India is washed out, Zimbabwe might find themselves in the semi-finals.
Chevrons salute fans at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia
As things stand, India and South Africa stand in Zimbabwe’s way of qualifying for the semi-finals. South Africa face India today and still have a fixture to fulfill with Pakistan. Should the Proteas lose both matches, they will be in a tight spot if Zimbabwe take care of Bangladesh and Netherlands.
With the way Zimbabwe have played so far, even an upset against India cannot be ruled out. After all, no one gave Zimbabwe a chance at the start of the tournament but with the hunger and fighting spirit they displayed, they ought to be taken seriously.
Craig Ervine, the Zimbabwean skipper embodied the fighting spirit with a crucial stop to save a boundary in that last over bowled by Brad Evans, which saw Pakistan only pick up three runs instead of four from the first ball of that over. Sikandar Raza has been unbelievable since the start of the tournament and to illustrate his contribution, the all-rounder has picked up three Player of the Match accolades out of the five matches Zimbabwe have played.
Against Pakistan, the country of his birth, the 36-year-old all-rounder did not let the disappointment of scoring just nine runs deter him from contributing with the ball.
The off spinner took 3/25 in his four overs. One of those wickets was that of Shan Masood, Pakistan’s highest run scorer with 44 runs on that day who was stumped by Regis Chakabva.
Zimbabwe-celebrate-wicket-against-Pakistan
Raza’s agility on the field resulted in a last ball run out when he threw in the ball for Chakabva to catch Shaheen Afridi short of his crease.
Zimbabweans are excited by the way the Chevrons are doing Down Under and should they continue to do wonders, Ervine and crew could spark yet more interest in the game like what happened at the 1999 World Cup when Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage of the 50 over World Cup in England. They went on to finish fifth at that World Cup, their greatest ever achievement at a global showpiece. Houghton was the national team coach in 1999.
One thing for sure that Zimbabwe have shown is that they are not in the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be cheerleaders and whoever undermines them does so at their own peril as Pakistan can bear testimony to that. — Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29
