THE one-off Twenty20 cricket series between Zimbabwe and visitors New Zealand this Sunday at the Harare Sports Club promises to be a thriller.
If Zimbabwe’s performance in the first One Day International (ODI) is anything to go by, then the one-off T20 match belongs to anyone.
The Chevrons shocked the cricket world with an emphatic seven wicket victory last Sunday.
It was one of the rare occasions where Zimbabwe chased down a total above 300 runs.
The Chevrons needed 329 runs to win and to the surprise of the world they achieved what many thought impossible.
They reached the target with a ball to spare.
There are several facts in favour of Zimbabwe on Sunday.
The wicket is a bit slow to the advantage of the Chevrons.
The hosts have home advantage.
The current form will encourage supporters to come in their numbers and hopefully inspire the team to victory.
The shortest version of the game is the most entertaining cricket series and the fact that it’s a one-off game, makes it very explosive.
Batsmen are called to party in a game that is more about nerves and confidence.
Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore might employ the services of his best batsmen for the T20 match.
Hamilton Masakadza has had a decent game of late and has been consistent.
The heavily built Masakadza is good for any version of the game as he can adapt his play easily.
He is one of Zimbabwe’s hopefuls and will be expected to carry the day.
He is likely to be the opener.
Sikandar Raza Butt is a hard-hitting batsman.
Pint-sized as he is, the Pakistan-born right-handed batsman is explosive and very good with most deliveries.
He is also a good risk taker.
His ODI century in the second ODI boosts his confidence ahead of Sunday’s match.
Charles Coventry is another batsman that Zimbabwe can rely on in the short version of the game.
Nicknamed ‘Master-blaster’ because of his exploits with the bat, Coventry is expected to deliver critical runs.
Craig Ervine who was impressive last Sunday is expected to pick from where he left last week.
At the same venue where he hit 130 not out off 108 deliveries, expectations are that he will be the pillar of the team.
The bowling department has not come to the party against the Black Caps.
Three wickets were picked in the first ODI in a winning affair, but in the second ODI, the bowlers failed to break the opening partnership of Martin Guptill and Tom Latham.
The T20 will need more all-rounders like captain Elton Chigumbura.
On a good day, the skipper can perform above board.
With the responsibility of leading the team, Chigumbura has been consistent and very cautious in his play.
With no balls to spare in the T20s, Chigumbura will definitely come to the party.
Lack of more game time against competitive sides is proving to be the Chevrons’ handicap otherwise the team could by now be a force to reckon with in the gentlemen’s game.
After New Zealand’s tour, Zimbabwe go to South Africa for the Africa T20 Cup next month.