ZIMBABWE will have to defy their woeful home form and level the three-match One Day International series against Afghanistan on Monday with the World Cup points and series on the line.
The Chevrons have scored all their points in the Super League on the road and are yet to win at home on four attempts having lost 3-0 to Bangladesh and the first match of the current series.
Zimbabwe’s automatic qualification chances for next year’s World Cup, which are becoming more academic, have spotlighted their coach Lalchand Rajput.
The fact that he is still employed defies logic as those before him, like Dave Whatmore, who had even a better win percentage rate, were fired due to poor results.
The Chevrons have won more World Cup points when interim coaches headed the team, whilst Rajput has presided over more games with a poor win ratio.
Zimbabwe scored their first set of points when Douglas Hondo was the interim coach away to Pakistan, losing the series 2-1.
With Rajput back in charge, Zimbabwe lost at home 3-0 to Bangladesh.
He scored his first points away to Ireland with the series shared at 1-1.
Away to Sri Lanka, Stuart Matsikenyeri was the interim coach in the first match, and the team won. Rajput was back in charge in the last two matches, and the team lost both matches.
Today is an opportunity for Rajput to inspire the team to level the series and get some points on the board.
However, to put the blame squarely on Rajput will be removing agency from the players.
How badly do players want to win games for their country?
Before the injury interruption, Regis Chakabva had reinvented his game, playing without a handbrake, playing without fear of failure, in the process giving the Zimbabwe innings the much-needed impetus.
Today will do with those kind of innings from Chakabva of old and any other players tired of being mediocre.
Fans turned out in their thousands on Saturday, and some will still brave the chilly weather today to support the boys. Surely they deserve a smile on their face.
Conditions are expected to be overcast, and the ball is set to move a bit, especially in the first hour. Zimbabwe bowlers failed to utilise the conditions on Saturday, bowling a touch short, allowing the Afghan batters to create a launch pad for a late assault which duly worked in their favour.
Blessing Muzarabani who took four wickets in the first match, will be vital in turning around the home side’s fortune, but he will need to get support from somewhere.
Generally, Zimbabwe’s batting and bowling rarely click in the same match. When it does, the Chevrons have gone on to win the match.
The old guard, Sikander Raza and Ervine, are key if Zimbabwe is to level the series.
One feels that anything short of victory will pressure the ZC hierarchy to make tough decisions. They have played their part by ensuring the team played high-quality cricket in preparation for this series and others to follow.
