Only thing I can hope for is the more they play the better they will get. Else no positives whatsoever from this performance.
I read this post before going to bed and I was like, "nah, i've heard this excuse about playing more makes us better and I don't buy it. You can't just expect to be better without applying yourself".
I'm pretty sure some members didn't even watch the 2nd innings assuming it's a lost cause
I am one of those members, only because I had to be up at 4am.
Here I am at 4:52am after having checked the score wondering if I am still asleep and dreaming.
What the heck happened. Only Pakistan can do something like this.
Let's not kid ourselves though. It's great to get the win and credit where it's due, but we still have plenty to learn from this game. The ways. we got out and our ability to rotate the strike need to still be worked on.
In saying that, what a win. No idea how Pakistan screwed this up.
Credit to Zimbabwe first, I thought Taylor's captaincy was superb, he is a level above others even in captaincy, then Zimbabwe fielded brilliantly, as someone said on the forum, it looked like the Zimbabwe of 90s are fielding. Then Jongwe was brilliant with the ball along with Ryan Burl, who took 2 crucial wickets which turned the game.
Pakistan were probably a bit complacent and they have a very very fragile middle order. Also I observe, these 200+ score tracks, these top teams are so used to easy batting wickets that the moment you give them a sluggish wicket where run scoring is hard, they get frustrated so easily and make so many mistakes. Many batsmen these days have inflated averages due to flat batting decks in LOIs, they can't bat to save their lives on difficult tracks.
After watching this performance, ZC target should be to put focus on shorter formats and play more T20s & 50 over games both in international as well as domestic levels keeping in mind two back to back ICC World Cups.
Four dayers should be held formality basis as ICC has no clear views on Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan in representing Test Championship. Shorter format is the one now Zim should target, this lot can help Zim to qualify both WCs
After watching this performance, ZC target should be to put focus on shorter formats and play more T20s & 50 over games both in international as well as domestic levels keeping in mind two back to back ICC World Cups.
Four dayers should be held formality basis as ICC has no clear views on Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan in representing Test Championship. Shorter format is the one now Zim should target, this lot can help Zim to qualify both WCs
Actually there are very strong rumours from the latest ICC meeting, this week, and reported by a lot of sources, that the ICC has agreed funding to set-up a World Test Championship Division 2 that will include Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland and Netherlands and Scotland.
I agree with you though of course - we need to modernise and play more short format cricket for sure. It's not that simple though to change overnight; people in Zim still value red ball cricket a lot more, maybe a lot more so than in other countries. Coaches, players, fans, journalists place a priority on FC games. We are quite an old fashioned community. It needs to change but it will take time.
After watching this performance, ZC target should be to put focus on shorter formats and play more T20s & 50 over games both in international as well as domestic levels keeping in mind two back to back ICC World Cups.
Four dayers should be held formality basis as ICC has no clear views on Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan in representing Test Championship. Shorter format is the one now Zim should target, this lot can help Zim to qualify both WCs
Actually there are very strong rumours from the latest ICC meeting, this week, and reported by a lot of sources, that the ICC has agreed funding to set-up a World Test Championship Division 2 that will include Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland and Netherlands and Scotland.
I agree with you though of course - we need to modernise and play more short format cricket for sure. It's not that simple though to change overnight; people in Zim still value red ball cricket a lot more, maybe a lot more so than in other countries. Coaches, players, fans, journalists place a priority on FC games. We are quite an old fashioned community. It needs to change but it will take time.
Division 2 system is good initiative, but to make this system bit exciting relegation & promotion procedure should also be adopted. Say 9th time of World Test Championship will be decided based on result of Division 2 Championship
If the initiative begins lower ranked sides may raise objection because of financial issues.
I wouldn’t be interested in that.
Whilst I don’t mind associate teams playing zim as padding, I have no interest in Zimbabwe playing an associate league outside the main teams.
I get my enjoyment seeing them play against the best
teams in the world, jagging a win against Sri Lanka, the windows , not feasting on the Netherlands.
Cricinfo profile of the 'James Bond' of cricket:
FULL NAME: Angus James Mackay
BORN: 13 June 1967, Harare
KNOWN AS: Gus Mackay
I wouldn’t be interested in that.
Whilst I don’t mind associate teams playing zim as padding, I have no interest in Zimbabwe playing an associate league outside the main teams.
I get my enjoyment seeing them play against the best
teams in the world, jagging a win against Sri Lanka, the windows , not feasting on the Netherlands.
Don't think we can feast on a full strength Netherlands team