[ ICC World Cup Odi Super League ] Match 2 : Zimbabwe V/s Pakistan, Rawalpindi

Zimbabwe team for 2nd ODI

PowerPlay 1 Players and Openers:

If Chari is not ready let him not be ashamed about it. Opening is difficult. Needs sound technique to withstand Pak pace attack. Wesley is a prospective candidate.

For 2nd ODI, promoting Sikander/Williams/Burl to open is no option. As it was seen before Sean Williams, Sikander Raza are not the best players of raw pace and swing which Shaheen has. Burl has not come out against big teams yet. Burl can come in the middle order get some runs against them before moving up.

Chibhaba - felt captaincy was good. But batting was shambolic. Yes! he was up against the world best bowlers and the light was right into his eyes in the evening, but still he was all over place. Can we drop the captain and let him come in as substitute fielder to run the affairs ? ;) Needs to have a cool head while batting. Even Warner danced against PAK bowlers once that bowl started to move a bit, but he has so much power that can turn things around. Need to find runs and show the team how its done. Look at Guptill not the sound player. But he has practised and perfected to hit straight and that comes to helps him in. Likeways needs to find a way out.

Mutumbani can strike the ball. If Chibhabha needs a bit more time let him have it. But cannot afford the pattern on losing both openers in Powerplay 1.

Madhwere as opener is an option. Madhwere can play the short ball. Unlike Sibanda - a compulsive puller - he is in control on his shot. Reminded me of class players like Sachin and Taibu. If the fellow has to shine. He need runs. For that he needs to spend more time in the crease. Middle order is great but if he can be promoted up as opener he can utilise the powerplay fielding restriction to his merit. But that comes with the pre-condition that he will have to stand up against the most skilled bowlers of the world (like Shaheen Afridi) and face real pace and swing and precise yorkers. The other question is : is it too early to move him up?

Selectors and team needs to be patient with openers. But that does not justify the poor technique of Chibhabha. Need to have atleast one player with really sound technique up there to start proceedings. Cant fix both openers at once shot.

Erwine - Fantastic timer of the ball. Sound defence. Paces his inninigs like Shai Hope. But that can perish the team. He needs to play with soft hands when the field is in pulled and he is forced to play through the air. Should try touch and go kind of scoring, like how Raza does. Else trust him-selves and take calculated risks and go over the top. Cant be obsessed about those classy drives.

PowerPlay 2 Players - Good spin players and prompt between wickets

Zimbabwe middle order is too crowded with Williams, Raza, Taylor, Burl, etc etc and it looks better that way.

Sean & Raza - Needs to find a way wither the short ball and pace. Wahab is in team for middle over proceedings, which if it was in any other team would have been taken over by the 2nd spinner. Wahab mastery lies in middle overs.

PowerPlay 3 Players - powerhitters

Hamilton have had a weak point with his feet moving early before the ball gets released and that once that foot gets planted it never could move . The bowlers have used his weakness, But the moment the ball meets the bat it raced to the fence. He was so powerful stroke player. Something which Solomon had. The power hitters / all rounders . Carl Mumba[/b] was put in for that, but sorry he was a mess at bowling. Donald Tiripano has a sound technique, but he is not an strike/opening bowler and can be expensive. Moor is not seen or picked else he could muscle the ball. Zimbabwe have to find some powerhitters...like Stoinis, Starc for Australia, Imad for Pak. Chisoro may be the designated. Unfortunately he got out in 1st ODI.

Strike Bowlers

Chatara : Not sure why he was not brought in. He has been the strike bowler. Needs to club him with Ngarava in this series. Chatara needs to lead the bowling pack.

Ngaware : Decent. Needs to prune him.

Blessing : Wish he was a tad faster with a simpler action.

Spin Bowlers

Chisoro : Good performance. Fellow had guts to pull things back after being hit for 6 the very first ball. Can race through overs.

Changes

Chari OUT Mutumbani IN : Surprise!

Mumba OUT Chatara IN - reasons obvious.

I think that's all a bit too negative about the situation imo. It is my firm belief that man for man Zimbabwe is probably the second most talented cricketing nation on the planet after the West Indies, and cricket despite the administrators best attempts for years will never fully die in Zim, the schools consistently turn out unbelievable talents and tbf to them they make the most of this gift by going to countries like England and playing their talents there where they will get adequately rewarded instead of playing 5 odis a year without pay.