Chevrons resume training

ZTN Reporter

The Zimbabwe cricket team has resumed training as it awaits clearance by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to start the domestic season ahead of a tour to Pakistan.

Zimbabwe is scheduled to tour Pakistan for three ODIs which falls under the Cricket Super League fixtures and three T20Is in November.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has set October 20 as the deadline for Zimbabwe to arrive before going into a two-week long quarantine.

Speaking to ZTN, ZC Director of Cricket, Hamilton Masakadza said Zimbabwe is ‘keen’ to tour Pakistan but ‘that can only happen with government’s clearance’.

Cricket had been one of the sports cleared to train but after a few weeks of practice ZC stopped all training following a spike in Covid-19 cases in July.

With Covid-19 cases appearing to be steadying, the Chevrons have resumed their activities with players doing fitness work across the country on Tuesday.

ZC fitness trainer Walter Karimanzira said he was impressed with the fitness level of most of the players after the first day of training.

“The guys have been following a programme at home, so they are at a good level.

“We are just starting off with fitness training sessions with the guys just to make sure they are warm and ready for the possible upcoming tour.

“The first four months the players were training at home, then after five months we called them back into camp for a fitness test of which we had about 95 percent players passing,” said Karimanzira.

Visits by Ireland (April), Afghanistan (July) and a tour to Australia also scheduled for August were all postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.