Zimbabwe senior men’s cricket team captain, Sikandar Raza, is confident that the Chevrons will secure a spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup qualifiers the country is currently hosting in Harare.
The Chevrons missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be hosted by Sri Lanka and India, after they were relegated to the African Qualifiers.
The team did not participate in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies following a disappointing third-place finish at the African Qualifiers in 2023.
Seeking redemption, Raza and his charges are banking on home advantage as they seek to qualify for the tournament.
Speaking on the eve of their first match against Uganda, Raza said given the brand of cricket they have displayed recently, they should succeed.
“We feel confident, not just myself but the whole team,” Raza said.
“Zimbabwe Cricket has given us enough games; we have played against quality opposition and have displayed a decent brand of cricket as well.
“We just have to focus on that brand of cricket we have been playing in T20s.
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“If we can bring our A-game, then Insha’Allah, we shall be at the World Cup.”|
Raza downplayed the pressure of playing at home where the Chevrons have faltered in recent qualifiers for major tournaments despite being heavy favourites.
“People may look at it that there is pressure, but I’ll say there is support,” he said.
“So instead of looking at it from a pressure point of view, I will look at it from a support point of view.
“We will be the team that will have support in most of the games.
“We know the importance of every game and how crucial every game is.
“So, like I said, the brand of cricket we have been playing has been satisfying.”
With Zimbabwe facing what are, on paper, minnows in their group, there is a need to guard against complacency.
Raza and his squad seem aware of this, as the Pakistan-born all-rounder revealed it has been his key message to the team.
“Try and stay calm and try to stay in the moment,” he said.
“That’s the only thing I have said in the changing room.
“Certainly, when the mind wanders to what could be, what is at stake, and things like that, you start looking too far ahead and lose focus on what’s in front of you.
“So, we must try to stay in the present, whether with the bat in hand or with the ball in hand.
“Apart from that, there is nothing much to worry about.”
The qualifier which began last Friday will run until October 4, with the top two finishers earning a place in the World Cup.
Zimbabwe is in Group B, which comprises Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Group A has Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, and Nigeria. The Chevrons have already qualified for the semi-finals on Thursday.
All teams will face each other in a round-robin format.
The semi-finals will confirm the two finalists who will not only contest for the regional crown but also secure their spots at the global showpiece.
A total of 28 matches, including eight official warm-up fixtures, will be played at Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Cricket Club.
Zimbabwe and Namibia are the favourites, while Uganda and Kenya are considered underdogs. Nigeria and Botswana have also impressed in the warm-ups.
