Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S T20I captain Sikandar Raza wants his side to ride on the current momentum and turn the tables on bogey side Afghanistan when the sides clash in a three-match T20I series beginning today at the Harare Sports Club.
Coming hot on the heels of an innings victory against the same opponents last week, the Chevrons are aiming for a positive start and set the tone for the rest of the series.
However, the challenge is that Zimbabwe have managed to beat Afghanistan only twice and losing 16 games in a decade of rivalry dominated by the Asians.
Raza, who led Zimbabwe to one of the victories against Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club towards the end of last year, was upbeat yesterday when he showed up for the pre-series conference.
He also believes Zimbabwe’s recent form, which includes a T20I series win over Namibia and the flawless run in the T20 Africa World Cup qualifiers, have boosted confidence in the Chevrons.
“I think rightly so, the mood in the camp is pretty bubbly and lively. Zimbabwe is coming off some beautiful results. The mood is very positive and everything that we do now suddenly leads up to the World Cup.
“The team is a lot more settled, everybody’s clear on the roles and I think also the majority, if not all of us, are performing and contributing the way we want them to contribute towards the team.
“Sometimes a lot of it is down to the runs and the wickets, but cricket is a lot deeper than that for us especially. So, I think everybody’s playing selfless cricket and the way we want us to play cricket so that we can take our cricket forward. There’re a lot of good things happening’’
Raza wants the Chevrons to maintain their game plan and play with consistency during the series.
“Again, if we do the basics well and if we do the plans that we have set for ourselves, I think this could be another very exciting series,” said Raza.
The T20I series forms a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s build-up to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which takes place in India and Sri Lanka between February and March next year.
Raza is happy with the balance in his side, after selectors decided to continue with the side that took part in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
Veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, who is returning to international cricket after a seven-year hiatus, is the only change as he replaces pace bowler Trevor Gwandu.
Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani are expected to spearhead the seam attack, while much is also anticipated from the rising talents Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa.
Zimbabwe, also have experienced hands in Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl and Wellington Masakadza.
“With Cremer’s addition, he brings wealth of experience, a great guy to have in the changing room,” Raza said about the return from retirement of the 39-year-old former Chevrons captain.
“A lot of us can learn from his experience as well, also a former captain as well. He’s got great insight about the game as well.
“So, when it comes to Cremer, I think he ticks all the right boxes to be in the changing room and we’re all very happy for him to be there,” Raza said.
The series will be crucial to all the players as the Zimbabwe selectors will be monitoring performances and combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup.
“Every series that we play now is certainly going to play a huge role in getting the combinations right and the roles clarity as well.
“These three games are very crucial for Zimbabwe and for the team. And having said that, we’ve got tri-series as well that we are looking forward to (in Pakistan).
“So, a lot of the cricket that’s coming our way is T20 anyway, and rightly so because the World Cup is only a few months away,” said Raza.
Zimbabwe are placed 11th on the ICC T20I rankings while Afghanistan are on 10th. Although Afghanistan lost in the one off Test, their record against Zimbabwe in the T20Is place them as the favourites in the three-match series.
Afghanistan are set to welcome their star bowler Rashid Khan who was rested for the Test match as a precaution after a recent back surgery.
They have a strong squad including players like Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai and Noor Ahmad.
But their recent form has been disappointing. Before the trip to Zimbabwe, they lost a T20I series against Bangladesh 0-3. However, Afghanistan coach Johnathan Trott told journalists that the tourists are aiming to for a complete turnaround with next year’s World Cup in mind.
“I think you know that sort of confidence that winning brings; that’s contagious. And if you’re winning, people have to stand up and perform. So, that’s what we’re looking for individuals to do.
“But I think it’s about finding the right combinations as well with regards to going forward to the next few months towards the T20 World Cup,” said Trott.
Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Afghanistan T20I Squad: Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai
