Fixtures:
Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe - King City - October 10
Canada v Zimbabwe - King City - October 11
Pakistan v Zimbabwe - King City - October 12
Zimbabwe squad: Prosper Utseya (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Taurai Muzarabani, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Cephas Zhuwawo.
Weather: Friday (19°C | 5°C), Saturday (21°C | 9°C), Sunday (23°C | 10°C)
My predictions are that we will beat Canada quite convincingly, and not embarrass ourselves against Pakistan or Sri Lanka. We are capable of producing an upset (although it will be hard without our proven T20 performers Taylor and Sibanda) but if we do it will be the result of good bowling, as it was against Australia. With no Gary Brent we lose a good economic bowler, so we have to hope that Mupariwa will fill that gap and that Chigumbura will be the wicket taker he normally is.
I don't think this batting lineup is capable of more than 120 runs against decent opposition (but 140 with Taylor, 150 with Taylor and Sibanda), so that has to be the target for the bowlers to restrict the opposition to. Stuart Matsikenyeri must step up. He's been on the scene for what, 6 years now? He's done next to nothing in that time... I feel that his reputation has been carrying him for some time (ie. he made the 2003 World Cup squad with the likes of Andy & Grant Flower, Heath Streak etc, then he must be good) and he needs to start letting the bat do the talking.
Obviously Hamilton Masakadza is the key batsman, followed by Chamu Chibhabha who I think will do well batting at his preferred number three position again. Taibu has a lot hanging over his head, and while he is a good ODI and Test player, he has performed poorly in both the IPL and the T20 International's he's played. It would be nice to see him slaughter the opposition, perhaps score a century (against Canada, this is a real possibility for the entire top order - especially Masakadza) but as maehara said in another thread, it's pretty unlikely.
Now, my prediction for the Sri Lanka game: Taibu, Masakadza, Chibhabha, Matsikenyeri, Chakabva, Dabengwa, Chigumbura, Utseya, Price, Mupariwa, Mpofu
Marumisa made the ICC World Twenty20 squad but didn't play, I think this will be the case for Zhuwawo to an extent. Play Sri Lanka with the best possible team (and if we win, play the same team against Pakistan), but play Zhuwawo against Canada (probably in place of Dabengwa) and again against Pakistan for the experience if we lost the Sri Lanka game.
Discussion
Series Thread: Al Barakha Cup (Canada T20)
Discussion
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Match delayed due to a wet outfield. Match will start at 3:30 PM BST.
That is about 40 minutes from now. Not sure what it means in terms of overs... maybe 14 or 15 overs a side? This is actually not a bad thing for Zimbabwe, the less overs there are the closer it brings the teams. There will be a greater focus on the top order scoring quickly rather than keeping any wickets in hand for later, meaning it positions our big hitters against theirs.
If it game to a hit out between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, we might just have the firepower. It would essentially be Jayasuriya against Chigumbura and Taibu (and Dabengwa and Matsikenyeri could give it a swing too... maybe Zhuwawo could get selected especially as a pinch hitter). This delay makes the match very interesting, and more evenly poised.
That is about 40 minutes from now. Not sure what it means in terms of overs... maybe 14 or 15 overs a side? This is actually not a bad thing for Zimbabwe, the less overs there are the closer it brings the teams. There will be a greater focus on the top order scoring quickly rather than keeping any wickets in hand for later, meaning it positions our big hitters against theirs.
If it game to a hit out between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, we might just have the firepower. It would essentially be Jayasuriya against Chigumbura and Taibu (and Dabengwa and Matsikenyeri could give it a swing too... maybe Zhuwawo could get selected especially as a pinch hitter). This delay makes the match very interesting, and more evenly poised.
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Sri Lanka won the toss and are fielding first, Jayasuriya is not playing.
The team:
Matsikenyeri
Masakadza
Chibhabha
Taibu
Dabengwa
Chigumbura
Maruma
Utseya
Price
Mupariwa
Mpofu
Zimbabwe currently 0/2 (runs, not wickets :))
Now the good news for everyone... you can watch this match! Go to this website :) It looks like Alistair Campbell may be one of the commentators, not too sure.
Zimbabwe have got off to a nice start here, 0/11 after the first over thanks to some fine pull shots from Masakadza it looked like. Match reduced to 17 overs a side.
Edit 1: Maharoof strikes, 1/11... pretty stupid shot, went straight up in the air. Unsurprisingly, it was Matsikenyeri. Looks like we're wearing the Zimbabwe A outfit (the blue and red one :? )
Edit 2: Masakadza with a big six over long on. Classy shot, 1/17 from 1.4 overs. He's swung and missed at 2 in a row, all trying to go over long on. At least he's trying.
Edit 3: Ignore Cricinfo's commentary, they are about 5 minutes behind the live play, and it's Chibhabha at number 3, not Chigumbura :roll:
Edit 4: Another six. HUGE. Over long off this time, out of the park. Masakadza again, fantastic shot. 22 from 13, he is on fire. 1/26
Edit 5: Pull/slog along the ground through midwicket, single to Chibhabha. 1/27.
Edit 6: Masakadza out, chipped to mid off. And the stream just died :(
The team:
Matsikenyeri
Masakadza
Chibhabha
Taibu
Dabengwa
Chigumbura
Maruma
Utseya
Price
Mupariwa
Mpofu
Zimbabwe currently 0/2 (runs, not wickets :))
Now the good news for everyone... you can watch this match! Go to this website :) It looks like Alistair Campbell may be one of the commentators, not too sure.
Zimbabwe have got off to a nice start here, 0/11 after the first over thanks to some fine pull shots from Masakadza it looked like. Match reduced to 17 overs a side.
Edit 1: Maharoof strikes, 1/11... pretty stupid shot, went straight up in the air. Unsurprisingly, it was Matsikenyeri. Looks like we're wearing the Zimbabwe A outfit (the blue and red one :? )
Edit 2: Masakadza with a big six over long on. Classy shot, 1/17 from 1.4 overs. He's swung and missed at 2 in a row, all trying to go over long on. At least he's trying.
Edit 3: Ignore Cricinfo's commentary, they are about 5 minutes behind the live play, and it's Chibhabha at number 3, not Chigumbura :roll:
Edit 4: Another six. HUGE. Over long off this time, out of the park. Masakadza again, fantastic shot. 22 from 13, he is on fire. 1/26
Edit 5: Pull/slog along the ground through midwicket, single to Chibhabha. 1/27.
Edit 6: Masakadza out, chipped to mid off. And the stream just died :(
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Thanks for the link brmtaylor.com admin, It is indeed Ali Campbell in commentary along with Ranil Abeyanayake, I think.
Great start despite losing Matsikenyeri early. As I had predicted in one of the other threads, Masakadza is our key to success, and he is on a roll at the moment... :D
EDIT: Oh, no spoke too soon... :(
Great start despite losing Matsikenyeri early. As I had predicted in one of the other threads, Masakadza is our key to success, and he is on a roll at the moment... :D
EDIT: Oh, no spoke too soon... :(
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Yeah, its not working anymore. Spoke too soon about the stream too... :(
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On Cricinfo's "commentary":
Stick that in the "truth and facts translator" and you will get this output:
And now it's back!! 2/39 from 5.2, someone must have been hitting some sixes. Great start from the boys. And now a 4 from Taibu down to fine leg (just missed the stumps), 2/43. Masakadza's 22 or so was a treat to watch. Gee wouldn't Taylor be great in this team today.
We regret we are unable to provide live commentary at the moment. There has been a power failure in the media centre.
Stick that in the "truth and facts translator" and you will get this output:
Yep, the online stream we were watching just died too.
And now it's back!! 2/39 from 5.2, someone must have been hitting some sixes. Great start from the boys. And now a 4 from Taibu down to fine leg (just missed the stumps), 2/43. Masakadza's 22 or so was a treat to watch. Gee wouldn't Taylor be great in this team today.
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Sharecricinfo also has E Rainsford in the squad for the T20, i assume this is also a mistake but kind of hope by some miracle he is back in the fold. mpofu doesn't do it for me
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r@ndom wrote:cricinfo also has E Rainsford in the squad for the T20, i assume this is also a mistake but kind of hope by some miracle he is back in the fold. mpofu doesn't do it for me
They have the wrong squad list; Mujuru, Rainsford etc are not in the squad. The squad list posted in the first post is the actual squad. :)
Edit: 3/55 after 8 according to Cricinfo. Take with a grain of salt.
Edit 2: They just revised it back to 3/44, I really don't think they have a clue. Whoops, musical chairs, now it's 3/56 😂 😂 Good if true, 6.7 is an acceptable run rate.
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Tibbly has to prove that he is class apart.
Zim fanatic since 1987
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4/61 now (according to Cricinfo)... bordering on a collapse here. Chigumbura is the last recognised batsman as Maruma is batting at number 7 (Maruma, Utseya and Price in the same team defies logic IMO, but let's see... maybe it is a spinners paradise).
Now Cricinfo say 4/76 thanks to some Boom Boom magic (six and four). Taibu 16 from 21, Chigumbura 12 from 8.
This stream works now incidentally:
http://omasti101.com/wp2/sri-lanka-vs-z ... streaming/
Quite well I might add, no buffering. 5/77 now, looks like Mendis stuck off his second ball. I think Elton got out...
Now Cricinfo say 4/76 thanks to some Boom Boom magic (six and four). Taibu 16 from 21, Chigumbura 12 from 8.
This stream works now incidentally:
http://omasti101.com/wp2/sri-lanka-vs-z ... streaming/
Quite well I might add, no buffering. 5/77 now, looks like Mendis stuck off his second ball. I think Elton got out...
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Heh, 6/80 now. Nice reverse sweep by Taibu, but Maruma was run out for 3. Looks like we are finished unless Utseya can work some magic with bat and ball.
Taibu needs to do something special here (27 not out so far)
As for the pitch report, it looks horrible. :P 4444444444 from Taibu. 32 from 35.
Edit: 6/92, Taibu 38* from 40, Utseya 1* from 2. This hasn't been an embarrassing performance by Zimbabwe - there's no Taylor, Sibanda. No Williams. A run rate of 6.27 is acceptable. Remember this is only a 17 over affair, we are in the 14th over. Taibu is playing well.
Edit 2: Utseya bamboozled by Mendis, unsurprisingly. 7/95 after 15.2... Price worked Mendis away first ball, impressive shot by Raymond (he is a class spinner though, I suppose he knows what to expect).
Edit 3: Price out to Mendis haha how ironic, 8/97. Let's hope we get to 100. Taibu still out there.
Taibu needs to do something special here (27 not out so far)
As for the pitch report, it looks horrible. :P 4444444444 from Taibu. 32 from 35.
Edit: 6/92, Taibu 38* from 40, Utseya 1* from 2. This hasn't been an embarrassing performance by Zimbabwe - there's no Taylor, Sibanda. No Williams. A run rate of 6.27 is acceptable. Remember this is only a 17 over affair, we are in the 14th over. Taibu is playing well.
Edit 2: Utseya bamboozled by Mendis, unsurprisingly. 7/95 after 15.2... Price worked Mendis away first ball, impressive shot by Raymond (he is a class spinner though, I suppose he knows what to expect).
Edit 3: Price out to Mendis haha how ironic, 8/97. Let's hope we get to 100. Taibu still out there.
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100 up for Zimbabwe, Taibu on strike 42 from 44, last over now.
For those interested, Price's dismissal wasn't because Mendis turn him inside out or anything. It was a classic slog to deep mid wicket.
Mupariwa currently on 1*, Taibu on strike for the last 3 balls. 8/102.
Edit: 2 balls to go in the innings, Taibu on 45*. Great running by the boys.
Edit 2: Taibu gives away the single, 8/105 - Mupariwa to take the last ball.
Final score: 8/106 from 17 overs - Taibu unbeaten on 46.
Matsikenyeri 1, Masakadza 22, Chamu 13, Taibu 45*, Dabengwa 4, Elton 5, Maruma 3, Price 1, Mupariwa 2... didn't see Utseya's score, think he got 1 or 2. I think Cricinfo's scorecard is wrong, as these were the scores given by the TV station.
Commentators are quite critical of Zimbabwe's performance (saying that 150 was on the cards... :roll: )... I actually think 106 is a decent score. Hey, it probably won't be enough to win the match, but it's a decent score and well done to Masakadza and Taibu who did the damage.
Masakadza was a treat to watch for the first few overs, Taibu was classy towards the end. Matsikenyeri must be dropped now - this was his opportunity, and he did nothing. Please bring in Zhuwawo against Canada.
Having a look at the replies of the wickets, Zimbabwe really struggled against Mendis - 4/15 in the end for him. Maharoof and Thushara with 2 and 1 respectively, their wickets more or less from silly shots though.
Edit: Mupariwa's first over was quite good. Utseya stupidly left Mpofu in the attack, he soon got smashed for 6. Mpofu is 6' 3", he is very tall but he isn't at all bulky. If he could put on a few kilos he would probably be a bit more intimidating. 0/31 from 3 overs.
For those interested, Price's dismissal wasn't because Mendis turn him inside out or anything. It was a classic slog to deep mid wicket.
Mupariwa currently on 1*, Taibu on strike for the last 3 balls. 8/102.
Edit: 2 balls to go in the innings, Taibu on 45*. Great running by the boys.
Edit 2: Taibu gives away the single, 8/105 - Mupariwa to take the last ball.
Final score: 8/106 from 17 overs - Taibu unbeaten on 46.
Matsikenyeri 1, Masakadza 22, Chamu 13, Taibu 45*, Dabengwa 4, Elton 5, Maruma 3, Price 1, Mupariwa 2... didn't see Utseya's score, think he got 1 or 2. I think Cricinfo's scorecard is wrong, as these were the scores given by the TV station.
Commentators are quite critical of Zimbabwe's performance (saying that 150 was on the cards... :roll: )... I actually think 106 is a decent score. Hey, it probably won't be enough to win the match, but it's a decent score and well done to Masakadza and Taibu who did the damage.
Masakadza was a treat to watch for the first few overs, Taibu was classy towards the end. Matsikenyeri must be dropped now - this was his opportunity, and he did nothing. Please bring in Zhuwawo against Canada.
Having a look at the replies of the wickets, Zimbabwe really struggled against Mendis - 4/15 in the end for him. Maharoof and Thushara with 2 and 1 respectively, their wickets more or less from silly shots though.
Edit: Mupariwa's first over was quite good. Utseya stupidly left Mpofu in the attack, he soon got smashed for 6. Mpofu is 6' 3", he is very tall but he isn't at all bulky. If he could put on a few kilos he would probably be a bit more intimidating. 0/31 from 3 overs.
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Mpofu opened the bowling (not Chigumbura, obviously Utseya isn't thinking clearly)... and got smashed for for 4 from the first two balls.
Well, any chance we had of an upset is gone now. Damn Prosper, Chigumbura and Mupariwa were the blokes to use...
Speed: 131.3kmh, 131.0kmh... at least he's got a bit of speed. That is promising if nothing else, it would be nice to see some 140's. The ultimate slower ball by Mpofu... 75kmh :shock: Think that might be a mistake.
This over: 4 4 0 0 wd 3 2
0/14 from 1 over, Mupariwa to take the new ball from the Southern End.
Well, any chance we had of an upset is gone now. Damn Prosper, Chigumbura and Mupariwa were the blokes to use...
Speed: 131.3kmh, 131.0kmh... at least he's got a bit of speed. That is promising if nothing else, it would be nice to see some 140's. The ultimate slower ball by Mpofu... 75kmh :shock: Think that might be a mistake.
This over: 4 4 0 0 wd 3 2
0/14 from 1 over, Mupariwa to take the new ball from the Southern End.
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:(
Match is gone. Courtesy Mpofu ( 25 runs in 2 overs)
Match is gone. Courtesy Mpofu ( 25 runs in 2 overs)
Zim fanatic since 1987
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Kopje wrote:Mpofu is killing us , he shouldnt have openned
Utseya is as much to blame. He left him on for a second over!
Mupariwa is looking really good, it has to be said. Or maybe he just looks so good because he's not following much of an act... nah, he is bowling really well. Sri Lanka aren't picking him.
Price just dropped a catch off Mupariwa... not sure who the batsman was, tough into the sun though.
Get Chigumbura on!!!
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WICKET!!!!!!
Chigumbura strikes second ball, massive hit straight up in the air, very nice catch by Maruma who was also in the sun.
What the hell was Utseya thinking opening with Mpofu, what a costly decision.
1/40
Elton's speed is in the 120's, Mupariwa's in the high 110's.
Chigumbura strikes second ball, massive hit straight up in the air, very nice catch by Maruma who was also in the sun.
What the hell was Utseya thinking opening with Mpofu, what a costly decision.
1/40
Elton's speed is in the 120's, Mupariwa's in the high 110's.
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