Pakistan Tour of Zimbabwe | T20i - ODI Series 2024

[tawac]

Not a bad selection by the AI but it will always do something like pick Taylor. Interesting though.

Is Chari still looking to play for Zim I thought he was looking to cross over to playing for Belgium. He did feature for their A side.

Bennet, Myers, Musekiwa, seem to have given up on bowling. When Raza, Williams finally go there will be a big gap there of batters who can bowl a bit.

[zimfan1]

Not a bad selection by the AI but it will always so something like pick Taylor. Interesting though.

Is Chari still looking to play for Zim I thought he was looking to cross over to playing for Belgium. He did feature for their A side.

Bennet, Myers, Musekiwa, seem to have given up on bowling. When Raza, Williams finally go there will be a big gap there of batters who can bowl a bit.

Musekiwa has an ankle injury.

[Pat_Bee]

Tarisai Musakanda
Craig Ervine
Brendan Taylor
Sikandar Raza
Regis Chakabva
Sean Williams
Wesley Madhevere
Richmond Mutumbami
Blessing Muzarabani
Tendai Chatara
Gerald Munodzi

That’s who my AI would pick

One’s probably in jail, one’s on a corruption ban and one retired to Australia

EDIT:

Innocent Kaia
Craig Ervine
Sikandar Raza
Sean Williams
Wesley Madhevere
Richmond Mutumbami
Tendai Chatara
Blessing Muzarabani
Gerald Munodzi
Ainsley Ndlovu
Luke Jongwe

That’s its revised squad when I told it BT was on a corruption ban, regis was in Australia and musakanda was probably in jail for attempted murder seems to rate this Gerald Munodzi guy.

[sam_ahm]

If we go by the FTP then Zimbabwe have good amount of games from here on. I'll be happy if they try out various players than stick with the same old ones. Pakistan series might be tough and even though Afghanistan have improved a lot, I think Zimbabwe should still target series wins over them and then early next year against Ireland.

What is important here is to build teams for 2026 T20 WC and 2027 ODI WC and that is possible only if some new players are tried out.

[tawac]

I wonder who ever came up with the concept of not changing a winning team. Must be the Russians definitely. But does it really work though when you have other players who are working hard to get into the same team. Yet you insist on carrying passengers. The team really does need players with clear roles in the side than just picking someone on the basis of being a big hitter. How long is a contract of a convenor of selectors? Who are they accountable to?

[Pat_Bee]

How long is a contract of a convenor of selectors? Who are they accountable to?

Forever and nobody

[Pat_Bee]

Never changing a winning team should compromise with that other cliche horses for courses.

Pakistan are a different proposition to Seychelles B with their 52 year old skipper. Queens is a different square to Mombasa gymkhana.

To be fair a lot of the team does have clear roles. Basically Faraz and Wez that don’t. Everyone else knows why they’re on the job.

[CholeZimbo]

In my opinion, the running of the game should be inclusive and merit based. Selection should even be an AI generated model with some human hand for the rough edges, and factors such as injuries, availability etc. This way bias is minimal.

I just asked ChatGPT to select a Zimbabwe ODI side for the Pakistan series and it came back with;

1. Innocent Kaia
2. Kamunhukamwe
3. Raza
4. Ervine
5. Madhevere
6. Williams
7. Taylor
8. Burl
9. Muzarabani
10. Ngarav
11. Chatara

Clearly BT is still rated in the Artificial world.

[CholeZimbo]

Sure! If we exclude **Milton Shumba**, **Regis Chakabva**, and **Tendai Chatara**, here's the revised best Zimbabwe ODI team to face Pakistan:

### **Top Order:**
1. **Craig Ervine** (Captain) – The experienced left-handed opener, capable of anchoring the innings and providing stability at the top.
2. **Tinashe Kamunhukamwe** – A solid opening batsman who can give Zimbabwe a good start and set the tone for the middle order.
3. **Sean Williams** – Left-handed middle-order batsman, one of Zimbabwe's key players. He can anchor the innings or accelerate when needed.

### **Middle Order:**
4. **Ryan Burl** – A versatile middle-order batsman and a useful left-arm spinner. He adds aggression to the middle order and can provide balance to the team.
5. **Wellington Masakadza** – Left-arm orthodox spinner and capable lower-order batsman. His bowling in the middle overs will be crucial, and he can add handy runs at the end of the innings.
6. **Luke Jongwe** – All-rounder with medium-pace bowling and aggressive batting skills. Jongwe can be a game-changer, especially in the death overs.

### **Lower Order:**
7. **Richard Ngarava** – Left-arm fast bowler. Ngarava is capable of delivering crucial breakthroughs with the new ball and at the death.
8. **Brad Evans** – Right-arm fast bowler. With pace and aggression, Evans provides Zimbabwe with a fresh option in the bowling attack.
9. **Tendai Chatara** – (Replaced as per request) – Without Chatara, we can consider **Brandon Mavuta**, an experienced leg-spinner, who can provide variety and control in the middle overs.

### **Key Strengths and Strategy:**
- **Batting Depth**: With key players like Ervine, Williams, and Burl, Zimbabwe has a solid core in the batting lineup. Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe can accelerate the scoring in the middle and lower order.
- **Spin Options**: Wellington Masakadza and Brandon Mavuta provide quality spin options that can be crucial on subcontinent pitches, helping to keep pressure on Pakistan.
- **Pace Attack**: Ngarava, Jongwe, and Brad Evans form a strong pace attack, with Ngarava being a threat with the new ball and Evans offering extra pace and bounce.
- **All-rounders**: Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe’s ability to both bat and bowl adds the necessary balance to the team.

### **Final Line-Up:**
1. **Craig Ervine** (C)
2. **Tinashe Kamunhukamwe**
3. **Sean Williams**
4. **Ryan Burl**
5. **Wellington Masakadza**
6. **Luke Jongwe**
7. **Richard Ngarava**
8. **Brad Evans**
9. **Brandon Mavuta**
10. **Ryan Burl**
11. **Wellington Masakadza**

This lineup still offers a strong balance between batting, spin, and pace, while ensuring that the team can adapt to various match situations against Pakistan.

[Googly]

We've established that AI chooses a better team than our selectors, let's have a shot at a parrot.