Zim, Pakistan resume ODI battle Graeme Cremer
Zimbabwe will be without Graeme Cremer in today’s ODI

Zimbabwe will be without Graeme Cremer in today’s ODI

Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE cricket convener of selectors Kenyon Ziehl says the home team should have learnt from their mistakes and are aiming to do everything right today when they engage Pakistan in the decisive One Day International match at Harare Sports Club.

A rare series win over the Asians is at stake but Zimbabwe would need to fight the demons that have oftentimes seen them failing to perform when it matters.

The hosts did themselves a big favour on Saturday when they claimed a narrow five-run win through the Duckworth Lewis method to level the series at 1-1.

The win came when no one had given them the chance after faltering with the bat in the T20 where they suffered a 2-0 series whitewash and again in the opening ODI when they appeared to give the game away easily.

But on Saturday they batted well to reach 276/6 while Pakistan could only manage 256/8 when play was stopped due to bad light and calculators brought out to determine the winners.

But the big question today is: Can Zimbabwe maintain the momentum and claim a rare series win over their opponents?

“We had a good weekend and the guys are all happy with that win. The boys worked very hard especially with the bat although they almost let it slip with the bowling towards the end. The win was a big relief anyway.

“Hopefully they will go out with a lot of positivity tomorrow (today). We need to have a positive mind and the right attitude because this is like a final, it’s a decider.

“I’m sure these guys learnt a lot from their mistakes in the games they played last week. What’s important now is to have that self-belief, to be convinced that it’s achievable. They proved it on Saturday and they need to pick it up from there,” said Ziehl.

Zimbabwe, however, will be without leg spinner Graeme Cremer who twisted his ankle during the second ODI. The selectors are not looking to make many changes to their team though. Senior players like Hamilton Masakadza, who has been off form, and Sean Williams know they need to pull up their socks up in such a crucial match.

Ziehl said besides Cremer, they also needed to look at one or two players who are carrying knocks.

“Cremer is definitely out of this one. There are a couple of concerns we’ve in our camp and some of these players we will have to assess them early morning tomorrow (today) to see if they can make it. Otherwise we’re looking forward to the match.”

Zimbabwe need to shrug off the underdogs tag in this decisive match.

The hosts know they need to do everything correctly after recovering from the disappointing performances during this tour.

 

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