THE Zimbabwe senior men’s cricket team seek to tame the Tigers of Bangladesh in a Group Two Super 12 clash in the early hours of Sunday morning and boost their chances for a semi-final berth at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
Zimbabwe have turned their fortunes in such a short time since Dave Houghton became a coach, and they go into tomorrow’s match as the favourites.
Should the Chevrons win their match and India beats South Africa, Zimbabwe will climb into the second spot in their group and have the destiny of a semi-final berth firmly in their hands.
Who would have thought about that six months ago? But such has been the change, like how an over can change the complexion of a T20 match.
The contingent of Zimbabwe supporters and the videos of fans in Harare celebrating have gone viral on social media, making the Chevrons the neutrals’ favourite team.
Everyone loves the Cinderella story, and that story brings new audiences to the sport.
Zimbabwe’s victory over Pakistan has created a romantic story of this World Cup.
However, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine knows that all these pleasantries will not give them the two points when they face Bangladesh. Only a performance that brings victory will win them more neutrals.
Chevrons’ top order continues to be their Achilles Heel. Management tried to solve it by dropping vice-captain Regis Chakabva to number six and promoting Wessly Madhevere to open with Ervine.
It worked for five overs against Pakistan before Haris Rauf put the breaks on the scoring.
Zimbabwe will have to contend with Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman in the Bangladesh seam department.
It is another game that the Chevrons have to transfer pressure to Bangladesh.
The success-starved Tigers have not forgiven their team for losing the white ball series in Harare three months ago.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan who missed that tour to Zimbabwe would want to lead from the front.
Zimbabwe is in a happy place, while on the other hand, Bangladesh do not know which brand of cricket to play and start to win T2O matches consistently.
Bangladesh were lucky to escape with a win over the Netherlands before South Africa put them in their place.
One would think that the current Zimbabwe bowling attack makes them the favourites against a subcontinent side that does not like bouncy and pace.
Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans, buoyed by defending a low total against Pakistan, will have a spring in their step when they bowl to the Tigers.
The patriotic fans from Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Kwekwe and many other places expect nothing but victory on Sunday.
