-We can compete and beat Pakistan’ Zimbabwe captain Chibhabha
Staff Report
Islamabad: Zimbabwe squad, coaches and officials have been tested COVID-19 negative upon their arrival in Pakistan for ODI and T20I series, media reported.
The squad took part in the practice session today after the COVID-19 test. All players and officials will remain in quarantine until October 27.
The squad will then practice at the Pindi cricket stadium on October 28 and 29. The first ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be played on October 30 in Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe limited-overs captain Chamu Chibhabha believes his side has the ability to defeat Pakistan in the upcoming series.
The 34-year-old talked to The Herald before traveling to Pakistan and said that the introduction of the ODI Super League has raised the stakes for bilateral series knowing that they can upset Pakistan.
“We know every ODI game is important for us now as we start our campaign to qualify for the 2023 World Cup in India. Obviously, the guys are excited to go to Pakistan, the wait is over,” Chibhabha said.
“We have played Pakistan before, and beat them, so we believe we can actually play well, compete and beat them,” he added. “And, considering it’s the Super League games, each game that we play going forward is going to be important, considering that the more games we win, gives us a better chance to qualify for the World Cup,” he maintained. He further added that his side is fully prepared for the series despite not playing international cricket for more than seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, Pakistan played a series in England recently and players were taking part in the National T20 Cup too.
“Obviously, they (Pakistan) have managed to play a couple of games and we have just been sitting at home but I feel well prepared,” he said.
“We have had our chances to prepare before this tour and I think we had some pretty good match practice and also playing in the National Premier League helped the guys to get some match practice. So the guys are ready,” he added.
