ZIMBABWE is ready to lock horns with underdogs Oman at the Queens Sports Club today in a heart-thumping build-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Six stage.
With memories of a shock defeat then minnows United Arab Emirates in 2018 fresh in mind, the Chevrons have a challenging path to the Qualifier final on July 9, scheduled at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe lost by three runs on Duckworth Lewis in the Super Six against UAE. Afghanistan beat West Indies in that final by seven wickets, with both teams qualifying for the World Cup that was held in England.
Speaking about the upcoming match, Zimbabwe’s Batting Coach, Stuart Matsikenyeri, emphasized the lessons from their past. “2018 taught us that you never take anything or anyone for granted. Everybody is here to play international cricket, and as many wins as we can get on the international circuit goes a long way for us in building our confidence,” he remarked. “We’re on a mission to create cricketing heroes to inspire future generations. This is much more than just a game for us.”
Oman has already surprised the cricket world with victories against Ireland and UAE, proving they won’t be an easy opponent. They recently took on Zimbabwe in a warm-up match, where they fell just 28 runs short of the whopping 367-run target set by Zimbabwe.
Addressing this, Matsikenyeri acknowledged the tenacity of the Oman side. “Our mindset is respect for every opponent we face. Oman showcased their capabilities in the warm-up, and we’re aware of the challenge ahead,” he stated. “With our mission over the last nine months, we aim to win every match. Every game, be it against Sri Lanka or Scotland, is of paramount importance to us.”
Zimbabwe, buoyed by the enthusiastic home crowd, is keen to recreate the electrifying atmosphere from Harare. “From the fans, we are expecting nothing less than what we got in Harare, we haven’t played much cricket here since Covid-19, but in the past, the Bulawayo crowd has been fantastic, so we are expecting the same vibe,” Matsikenyeri said.
Commenting on the pressures of playing at home, the coach said, “The head coach (Dave Houghton) and the team thrive on this pressure. We strive to give our crowd the kind of cricket they want to watch.”
Chevrons skipper Craig Ervine, back in action after recovering from a calf injury, will bolster the Zimbabwe lineup. “Everyone is good to go; everyone is fit for selection, Craig spent a lot of time on the pitch, but he is good to score. He aches and pains here and there, but he is fine,” Matsikenyeri confirmed.
Speaking about the pitch conditions, Matsikenyeri noted, “We’re aware of the slower pitch and more turn here compared to Harare. However, we’ve been preparing for these conditions. Our players are well-equipped to tackle these challenges.”
With games against Sri Lanka and Scotland scheduled on Saturday and Tuesday at the same venue, Zimbabwe has a challenging but thrilling journey ahead in this tournament.
