ZIMBABWE T20I captain Sikandar Raza says the Chevrons should not be bullied at home ahead of their potentially exciting three-match T20 series against Afghanistan which begins at Harare Sports Club today.
The hosts are still reeling from the limited-overs series defeat to Pakistan in Bulawayo last week. However, Raza believes this tour presents an opportunity for his side to regain form and win back the hearts of their fans.
“They’re a team that made it to the semi-finals of the last T20 World Cup, so certainly a team that has achieved a lot of good things,” Raza said.
“But having said that, in our home conditions, we’ve always had some success against Afghanistan.”
The star all-rounder emphasised the importance of making winning a habit.
Zimbabwe have come close on several occasions but failed to clinch a series. Raza hopes this will change against Afghanistan.
“But I think we’re not too far off. I mean, when we’re winning games, then you know we can win another one. And sometimes in a series, there’s always been a game where we know we missed out on an opportunity,” he added.
Raza cited the example of their tour to Sri Lanka, where they lost a game despite needing only 20-odd runs in the last two overs. He believes that winning that game could have changed the outcome of the series.
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Zimbabwe host Afghanistan for a full tour comprising three T20Is, three ODIs in Harare and two Test matches in Bulawayo. Raza expressed his disappointment with the batting collapse against Pakistan in Bulawayo.
“Yes, there were batting collapses. We're not running away from that. But the best thing we’ve done is we’ve watched those footages, we’ve tried to understand what the player was thinking at that particular time,” Raza said.
He emphasised the importance of giving players confidence and reassurances, which he believes can be achieved through selection.
The three-match T20I series against Afghanistan gets underway today at Harare Sports Club. The second and third T20Is follows on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Zimbabwe T20I squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri.
