Glimmer of hope for Zim cricket

ZTN Sports Reporter/ZimCricket

AFTER weeks of drama and painful experiences that took Zimbabwe
cricket backwards, Chevrons coach Lalchand Rajput sees a way out
of the mud.

Rajput believes this is the time to rebuild, mixing experienced players
with young players, to overcome the effects of Zimbabwe’s suspension by the International Cricket Council, ICC.

That journey starts with the T20 international triangular series in
Bangladesh against the hosts and Afghanistan.

“We are now shifting our focus to rebuilding a new team and to do that we must gradually (introduce new) blood and create a new culture that encourages unity, hard work, professionalism and excellence,” Rajput said.

Zimbabwe will face Bangladesh in the first T20 at Mirpur on September 13.

He added: “We will not make wholesale changes, as we definitely still need some of the experienced players to help the new generation find their feet in international cricket.

“It is important that we still field a competitive side – that is why we have a good mix of youth and experience in the team that has been selected for the Bangladesh tour.”

After the suspension of the Chevrons and lady Chevrons
from upcoming ICC tournaments, the next major men’s senior
global tournament that Zimbabwe can compete in is the ICC Cricket World
Cup 2023 in India.

Meanwhile, captain Hamilton Masakadza will be appearing for the last time
in Bangladesh before his retirement from international cricket.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR BANGLADESH TRIANGULAR SERIES

Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Regis Chakabva, Richmond Mutumbami,
Sean Williams, Neville Madziva, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Tony Munyonga, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Christopher Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Ainsley Ndlovu, Timycen Maruma, Ryan Burl