With Zimbabwe entering this qualifier stage as heavy favorites, they hope to write off a tough 2024 finish, where they failed to even make it into the World Cup. A group that has historically been known for their cricket and made it 6 times in 8 attempts prior to that, this side will be the only full-time member featured during this tournament.
With one of those times missed being due to suspension, Zimbabwe are hoping to rise once again after showing several times throughout history before they kept hitting traps consistently. Having created upsets over many big-time nations, they have managed to defeat Australia in one match during a normal series and Pakistan in the 2022 T20I World Cup, while also recently nearly beating Sri Lanka twice.
Led by head coach Justin Sammons, who took over right after they missed out last year, he will be looking to guide them in the right direction and prosper once more. Helping them reach 12th place on the current T20I rankings this year, he has brought a ton of coaching experience from South Africa to this side and really hopes to transform them into a top-tier side.
With their board also starting to pick up on areas of weakness that hurt this side earlier, it feels like they have made a bigger push for popularity plus success this season in their country. Captain Sikandar Raza will once again lead the side and hope to be a key component for them in tough situations.
Strengths: Top-Order Batting Has Remained A Key Component For Their Success
One thing that is very important about this Zimbabwe side, which keeps growing, is their ability to bat and create a real scoring threat throughout their innings. With Brian Bennett opening the batting, he has already amassed 1,000 T20I runs at just 21 years old and has proven to be extremely consistent. Someone who’s provided 6 half-centuries at such a young age, he will only keep improving, as the timing plus drives have been tremendous off his bat.
On the opposite side, Tadiwanashe Marumani has created nice tempo from the left side and smashed the same number of fiftees as Bennett, while also creating a strike rate of over 125. Given that he’s slowly mixing up his shots, it’s become a real threat for all bowlers to figure out in which ways to bowl towards him.
Being on a tear recently by scoring 173 runs during his last 4 innings, he’s another one of those pieces closing in on 1,000, and he helps create a great opening partnership, so tension on Brendan Taylor is eased a little.
Seeing that Brendan Taylor has struggled a little bit since making the much-anticipated return, this is someone who can still play with class to provide a valuable 20-25 run knock. Having a strike rate at 117, it really proves he can still hit big, but nothing is more vital for this side than two-down piece Sean Williams, who has used the reverse-sweep to his advantage and scored over 1,800 runs during 85 T20Is. Having hit 12 half-centuries himself, his closing out the top-order will really go to show how the rest of Zimbabwe’s innings are going to go.
Weaknesses: Lack Of Spinning Options Could Potentially End Up Being An Issue
For Zimbabwe, their one major problem heading into this tournament is about their spinners, as only one has seemed to perform really well. With that being captain Sikandar Raza, 92 wickets during 115 matches, he is the only piece that will create turn and build opportunities in the middle order.
When looking at this side’s left-hander in Wellington, Masakadza, this is someone who has tried his tricks but still gives up a near 8 economy and hasn’t provided a wicket-taking threat. Although he has one 4-wicket haul to his name, Masakadza has only removed 46 batsmen during his first 66 T20Is and seems to struggle in creating that swing which most left-handers love using.
Knowing that he will potentially have to bowl at least two overs because of the lack of their spinning options, Sean Williams is another guy who can only bowl one or two overs before batsmen start figuring him out. With this side trying to use him for many purposes, like removing power-hitters, it has clearly not worked, and might be a real question heading into this intense tournament.
The last spin option they have is Brian Bennett, who continues struggling whenever called upon to be their main off-spinner. Having an economy that is well over 8 after powerplay overs are finished, it is a problem because he’s also just taken 6 wickets during 13 matches where he has bowled in.
Opportunities: Fast-Bowing Should Really Have Another Breakout Chance
As much as their spinning problems could have, Zimbabwe has a real opportunity to clear all that out with elite fast bowlers on its side. Led by Richard Ngarava, 93 T20I wickets to lead the side, his ability to bowl from the left end has been key because there always seems to be a great angle towards the wicket. Someone who has had a 7.19 economy throughout his career as a fast-bowler, Zimbabwe really trust him in the power-play to make a huge difference.
From the right side, their main pacer will be none other than Blessing Muzarabani, who has the prowess to create wickets with his bouncer ability. Someone that batsmen fear because of his height, he’s taken 85 of his own wickets while having a similar economy.
With Trevor Gwandu back in the side, he should be able to start as their third option and continue bowling with pure pace. Although he missed out on the last couple series due to rest, his rapid rise over the past couple years has helped him get 16 wickets during 19 matches and keep making risks pay off.
Given that Trevor Gwandu’s economy is around 8.7, that’s not all on him because of the time he comes into bowl, while Brad Evans is slowly making his impact as well. Seeing that Evans has lately become a regular starter for this unit, it shows he’s more than ready to make a next step and go through his full 4 overs, while Tinotenda Maposa should get a few vital ones in too.
Threats: Schedule Could Cause Another Upset For This Side
One thing Zimbabwe have to be aware of in this series is how they play teams and not get caught napping like last time out. A unit that was completely shocked by Uganda because they didn’t put that same effort in, it will be mandatory this time since the competition has gotten harder, plus more teams could try knocking them off.
Despite Zimbabwe being the strongest side, their newfound rivals in Uganda will be facing them once again, while Botswana has also shown great development recently. Being favored in those matches, they will still need to proceed with caution because both sides will give them their best fight, while Tanzania is also no longer an easy out.
Zimbabwe Squad: Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, Brendan Taylor, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu, Wellington Masakadza
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