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Elton Chigumbura

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket team captain Elton Chigumbura is happy with the spirit in camp and has challenged his teammates to raise their game when they get their Twenty20 series underway against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.

The hosts have put in extra hours in preparation for this tour, which comprises two T20 matches and three One Day Internationals, and are hoping for some positive performances.

Although Zimbabwe will start as underdogs, Chigumbura said it was important to begin on a good footing.

The last time the sides met in May, Zimbabwe failed to win a match in both the T20 series and the ODI clashes in Lahore, but they made a big impression and are hoping to reverse the tide.

Chigumbura believes their knowledge and understanding of the home conditions should be a plus factor for them this time.

“We are looking to make full use of the advantage of playing at home. The last time we played them we lost under their own conditions and now we are the home team.

“The spirit among the boys is very encouraging. We had a team bonding exercise last week and I think it worked well. Everyone is looking forward to the challenge,” said Chigumbura.

Zimbabwe need the momentum to carry them through the whole series. However, Dav Whatmore’s men have to banish some of their weaknesses which include inability to handle pressure and to finish off games.

Chigumbura said they have been working hard to put their house in order, especially after those home defeats against New Zealand and India, in their most recent assignments.

Zimbabwe have often come close but still lost matches when it appeared they had the opportunity to wrap up games.

The skipper said they need to set the tone in the first T20.

“Obviously it’s important to start well. We have to make sure that all departments are in order so that we minimise mistakes. In T20 cricket every ball is important.

“It’s very easy to win a game and at the same time it’s also easy to lose a match if you mess up with just one over. So we would want to minimise the errors,” said Chigumbura.

Zimbabwe cricket selectors named a largely unchanged squad and they will be looking for strong batting performances from such players as Chamu Chibhabha and Hamilton Masakadza who are expected to open the innings, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Chigumbura himself.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Richmond Mutumbami, who was one of the notable additions to the team following a good outing at the Africa T20 in South Africa recently, is also expected to be given an important role up the batting order.

The Zimbabwe players have been using the social platforms to express their readiness for the clash.

“We ready to welcome boys from @TheRealPCB with open arms and heart as they did to us and hoping for another thrilling and exciting series” twitted Raza on Thursday.

Williams also posted this week: “Down to just 4 days until the 1st of two t20 games vs Pakistan, can’’t wait.”Pakistan coach Waqar Younis told the media on their arrival that, although his side are the favourites, they were not taking any chances against Zimbabwe. The Asians have named a strong team led by Shahid Afridi for the T20s.

The 35-year-old skipper said they will not take Zimbabwe lightly as they are using the matches to prepare for next year’s World Twenty20 Championships.