IN the unpredictable world of cricket, where talent and determination often collide with the whims of chance, stories of redemption and opportunity shine the brightest.
The tale of Arineshto Vhezha is a remarkable one, a journey that took an unexpected turn when fate intervened at a crucial moment.
A few months ago he was overlooked he only made it into the Under-19 squad as a non-traveling reserve but fast forward a few months later he is now rubbing shoulders with global stars in the second edition of the Zim Afro T10.
The soft spoken Vhezha took two wickets for three runs for his franchise Harare Bolts’ 44-run win against NYS Lagos, spoke about how he used his disappointment as a launch pad to better things to come.
“I would say there’s something that motivated me. I was in the reserves for the U19 World Cup, but luckily I was selected to be in the High Performance Program with Mr Steve Mangongo,” Vhezha said after his man-of-the-match heroics with the Bolts on Wednesday evening.
“He told me to work hard and I have put in the hard yards. And after that, I have managed to put in the big performances.”
On his performance against NYS Lagos:”I would say my performance today, I felt like I was quite focused. From the last game I played yesterday (Tuesday), I had a bad day yesterday.
“I went home, reflected well, and I felt like I had to come back stronger. I had a my positive mindset today.”
He also effected a brilliant run out against NYS Lagos.
“Last time, it was the second game, I missed a run-out, I didn’t throw the ball. But this time I just told myself, just chuck it in. I don’t know what will happen and it ended well,” added Vhezha.
The Zim Afro T10 allows Zimbabwe players to rub shoulders with some former greats like former New Zealand opener, Collin Munro and Vhezha is being captained by former Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.
“I am playing with experienced players like Jimmy Nees ham, skipper Shanaka and even some guys from Zimbabwe, like Brendan Mavuta as well,” he said.
“Those guys filled me with a lot of knowledge and it helps me a lot to grow as a player and as a human being.”
The highlight of his debut Zim Afro T10 tournament, is bowling to Australia great, David Warner
“I felt like he was going after me but it then boosted my confidence as well, because he missed the first ball, so I was like, I’m in,” he said.
“So I’m going to try and execute what I can do because I know that I’ve got the skill, so I thought that maybe I’ll do it well.”
Vhezha bowled the last over with half the Lagos side back in the hut and he still bowled like he was bowling to the top order and was duly rewarded with two wickets.
“Richard Gleeson came to me and told me this is more like practice, where you’re going to get pressure situations as well.
So just try and execute what you know, and what you have to do. That’s what I did,” explained Vhezha.
Wednesday’s (today) performance is a timely confidence booster for Vhezha after going for 23 runs in one over against Bulawayo Braves Jaguars.
“It actually boosts my confidence, I think. But then I don’t have to be overconfident. I just have to stay calm,” he reasoned.
“If I keep working hard, I definitely belong to this high level of cricket like Zim Afro T10.”
Vhezha is yet to make a full Zimbabwe international white ball debut and with the proliferation of many white ball franchises, he has a dream wicket.
“I would say Travis Head is my dream white ball cricket wicket,” he said.
