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Bulawayo businessman, philanthropist and director of ceremonies, Raj Modi (centre), Heath Streak Consultancy chief executive officer (left), Zimbabwe Cricket deputy managing director Esther Lupepe, principal director in the Ministry of Arts, Sport and Culture, Paul Damasane, and the manager of the Afghanistan A team Shafiqullah Asmat Stanikzai at a reception held by Modi and the Muslim community in the city to welcome the Asian cricket team on its tour of Bulawayo on Saturday. The visitors take on Zimbabwe A at Bulawayo Athletic Club today

Sports Reporter
AFTER a disappointing national team debut, Zimbabwe A opening batsman Brian Chari is looking forward to an improved outing when they take on Afghanistan in a training game today at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.Chari, 22, is one of the players tipped to be brighter prospects for Zimbabwe Cricket.

On Sunday, he only contributed 16 runs as Zimbabwe A lost by the same number of runs to the Asians and it is batting that coach Walter Tawaguta highlighted needed to improve.

“Like the coach said after our first game, we need to be positive and make bowlers uneasy. It was not the best of start for me with the team but I hope to improve on that.

“What is important is not to lose focus but keep on dreaming. This is a lifetime opportunity and if I am to be a regular member of the team I have to deliver. I will do my best to help the team if selected,” said Chari.

In firing warning shots, Afghanistan had their opener Usman Ghani scoring a half-century, followed by a six-wicket haul from the left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf which helped the visitors edge past Zimbabwe A by 16 runs.

After being put in to bat, Ghani, who was selected for the upcoming ODI series between the two teams, helped Afghanistan recover from the early losses of Noor Ali Zadran and Asghar Stanikzai by combining with Hashmatullah Shaidi for a third-wicket association which yielded 100 runs.

Shaidi fell for 34 in the 31st over, but Ghani made his way to 79, striking six fours and three sixes in the process. Incisive bowling from Zimbabwe A’s bowlers, however, kept the run-rate to just above four an over, and despite a late acceleration from Shafiqullah (24) and Mirwais Ashraf (19), Afghanistan were bowled out for 209.

Zimbabwe A’s chase, though, was hampered by early blows from Sharafuddin, and the team soon stumbled to 90 for 5. Tinotenda Mutombodzi (60) and Luke Jongwe (50) both scored fifties to lead a mini-recovery, but Sharafuddin once again struck with three quick wickets, as Zimbabwe A fell from 176 for 5 to 193 all out. Sharafuddin eventually finished with 6 for 29, while Mirwais accounted for two scalps.

The only meaningful batting partnership for Zimbabwe A was between seasoned Mutombodzi and young Jongwe.

After today’s warm-up game, Afghanistan will play their first of the four ODIs on Friday with the second encounter on Sunday. They will then take on Zimbabwe in the third ODI on July 22 and wind up their stay in the City of Kings on July 24 before traveling to Harare to participate in two four-day games.