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Zim to play Bangladesh
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE A take on Bangladesh A at Kwekwe Sports Club in the first oneday match today, eager to get back on the winning track after losing the fourday match series 30.
Zimbabwe A will be without paceman Blessing Mahwire who was injured in the last match in Kwekwe. He did not bowl in the second innings and could be out for a long time.
The home team struggled in the fourday matches, due to lack of experience although some positives also came out of the match, with wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Mufambisi, paceman Mahwire and the opening pair of Terrence Duffin and Vusi Sibanda consistent and showing a lot of promise.
It has been tough for the locals in the series, but the return of former rebels Stuart Carlisle, Charles Coventry, Trevor Gripper and Neil Ferreira, who have made themselves available again, should boost Zimbabwe’s chances of winning.
Coach Kevin Curran has a wider selection base after news that veteran Bryan Strang could also be available for selection emerged yesterday. He has been training with the team and was part of the squad that travelled to Namibia in early January.
With Zimbabwe needing bowlers more than batsmen in the match, Strang is likely to replace Mahwire, which leaves little space for the former players.
Keith Dabengwa, a spinner, is also in the team and that sharpens Zimbabwe’s attack should they field first.
Dion Ebrahim and Andy Blignaut are in South Africa for the Test series that begins tomorrow. This has increased chances for the returnees in the Zimbabwe A team. Also out is Graeme Cremer who also made the trip.
The Zimbabwe team had a problem in dealing with spinner Enamul Haque Junior and the return of senior players could solve that problem.
The final playing team will be known this morning, but if the former players are drafted in, then there will be changes in the batting lineup.
Duffin and Sibanda could maintain their top order positions, although Coventry is a top order batsman who can also be used. Alternatively, he can replace Ebrahim at number three or the selectors can opt for Carlisle.
Kuda Samunderu played well for Mashonaland in the provincial tournaments, but the big stage proved problematic for him in the fourday series, while Gregory Strydom failed to click and could pay dearly for that.
Craig Ervine, Ian Nicholson and Campbell Macmillan are the other members of the team, battling for places.
The toss will be crucial for Zimbabwe as chasing targets has proved problematic for them in the past and they will need to bat first.
Bangladesh captain and opener Nafees Ahmed has been resolute at the crease.
There is Roqibul Rahman, Tushar Imran, Mahmud Ullah and Mushfiqur Rahim to deal with at the crease, while in bowlingbesides Haque JuniorZimbabwe has to deal with Kazi Shahadat Hossain.
Zimbabwe team (from)
T Duffin, V Sibanda, C Chibhabha, E Ervine, K Samunderu, T Mufambisi, I Nicholson, H Matanga, C Macmillan G Strydom, W Mwayenga, K Dabengwa, B Strang (C Coventry, S Carlisle, N Ferreira, T Gripper)
Bangladesh A
A Ahmed, E Haque Jnr, D Ghosh, R Rahman, T Imran, W Uddim, M Ullah Riyad, MD Sharif, SK Rassel, K Shahadat Hossain, M Rahim, S Al Zabir, S Hossam, S Al Hassan.