ZIMBABWE captain Sikandar Raza says the team will be looking to build for the future when they kick off five-match T20i series against World Champions India at Harare Sports Club today.
Zimbabwe Cricket chose a relatively young side without seasoned campaigners such one-day international captain Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl and veteran all-rounder Sean Williams to play against India, who are fresh from lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and the West Indies.
India also selected an inexperienced side led by 24-year-old Shubman Gill for the tour of Zimbabwe.
Speaking during a Press conference ahead of the first T20 match, Raza said the objective was to secure the future of the team.
“It’s a very important series for Zimbabwe and for the vision that we have. As you know, both sides have picked a young squad so clearly both countries are going through a transition phase. We want to make sure that when the senior guys are done, the future of the squad and country is safe. So, this is an opportunity for youngsters and I am excited for them and they are excited as well.
“Both teams have equal chance [to win the series]. I always say irrespective of how many runs you have, once you go out there, you start from scratch. Of course, there is experience, which counts, but anytime you play a game, each team has a chance against any team, so it will be nice to win this series as well.
“Each time I put on a Zimbabwe jersey, I am very motivated and I do not treat any nation with less or more respect. So I respect India as much as I respect any other country. But it’s nice to have world champions in our country,” Raza said about facing the World champions.
Today’s encounter will be the first in charge for the newly-appointed former South Africa high performance batting coach Justin Sammons, who was given the reins by Zimbabwe Cricket last month.
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Former Zimbabwe top order batsman Dion Ebrahim bounced back as the assistant coach, with another former South African bowler Charl Langeveldt coming as the bowling coach.
Two other South Africans Ravish Gobind and Curtly Diesel as well as former national team caretaker coach Stuart Matsikenyeri are also part of Sammons’ backroom staff.
The Zimbabwe team saw Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta bouncing back following a ban after they were found guilty of using a recreational drug.
Belgium-born cricketer Antum Naqvi (25) is set for his Zimbabwe debut after he was named in the squad that also includes Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Faraz Akram and Tadiwanashe Marumani, among the player with little international experience.
India captain Gill admitted that the tour was more about giving international exposure to their up-and-coming players.
“It’s quite a different team from the one that played at the World Cup. We have a lot of young players, including myself, so I think in terms of that. We just want to give the players experience so that they know what it is like to play on the international level.
“There is a lot excitement because there are a lot of young players who will be playing for the first time.
“There is pressure in every match you play because if there was no pressure, I don’t think there is any point in playing that match. There is always pressure for you to perform in every match. We have the pressure to do well as a team,” he told journalists yesterday.
Today’s match is scheduled to start at 1pm and Zimbabwe Cricket have pegged the ordinary tickets at US$5.
