Zimbabwe skipper Williams calls on team to deliver in second T20I
Zimbabwe skipper Williams tells team to deliver
JOHANNESBURG, April 23 (ANA) – Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams is hoping his troops produce a vastly improved performance when his side take on Pakistan in the second T20 International in Harare, on Friday.
Pakistan beat hosts Zimbabwe by 11 runs in the first encounter on Wednesday, and Williams lamented his side’s poor fielding.
Williams said: “It is inexcusable the number of catches we dropped which ultimately cost us the game. We need to improve our fielding.
“We will go back to the drawing board and improve better in the next game.”
Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan, in contrast, praised the efforts of his teammates.
Rizwan said: “There is always a home conditions advantage but we have world-class bowlers who have adjusted really well to the changed conditions from South Africa.
The batters too have an idea of the pitch performs and hopefully we will post a huge target in the next match.”
In the first clash, Zimbabwe found themselves in a commanding position during different phases of the game in the first clash of the three-match series.
Despite a controlled bowling performance, fielders and batters failed to back them and Pakistan outclassed them in the bowling department.
The hosts will fancy a chance at restoring parity in the second game as Pakistan’s middle order is struggling to fire, resulting in the team being heavily dependent on the openers Babar Azam and Rizwan to do the majority of the damage.
Rizwan’s single-handed efforts of unbeaten 82 from 61 balls to help Pakistan reach a competitive total of 149/7 gave the visitors a fighting chance to make a comeback with the ball.
Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (29), Craig Ervine (34), and Luke Jongwe (30 not out) resurrected the hopes of a victory before Usman Qadir foiled their plans as he triggered a middle-order implosion. He returned 3/29 while Mohammad Hasnain (2/27) also took important wickets. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman
