Mbongeni Ncube
THE Zimbabwe senior national cricket team- the Chevrons a�� are set to engage three countries West Indies, Bangladesh and Ireland in a round of warm-up matches in preparation for the ICC World T20 scheduled for India next month.
Newly appointed Chevrons bowling specialist South African cricket legend Makhaya Ntini will have a chance to fine-tune his bowlers when the team faces off against West Indies on Saturday (tomorrow) and Monday at the Sharjah Cricket Ground.
Both matches will be played in the city of Dharamshala in India.
The Chevrons then square off against Bangladesh on March 4 followed by Ireland after two days.
All the practice matches fall under the International Cricket Council practice schedule for the ICC World T20.
Zimbabwe Cricket public relations and media manager Darlington Majonga said the Chevrons a�� who have been camped in the United Arab Emirates for the past week a�� were raring to go.
Elton Chigumbura joined the camp on Wednesday after the final of the Pakistan Super League in which his team Quetta Gladiators, played Islamabad United at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
a�?The team physiotherapist (Anesu Mupotaringa) expressed satisfaction with the overall health of the 16 players in camp. Elton joined the team from Dubai and we also have nine technical and support staff in camp,a�? said Majonga.
Zimbabwe is in qualifying Group B and will face Hong Kong, Scotland and Afghanistan.
All the Group B matches will take place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur, with Zimbabwe opening the event with a match against Hong Kong on March 8. If the Chevrons top the group, Zimbabwe will come up against Sri Lanka, England, West Indies and South Africa in Group 1.
The Chevrons are led by head coach Dav Whatmore, batting consultant Marvan Atapattu and Ntini.
Zimbabwe Squad
Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Tinashe Panyangara, Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza Butt, Richmond Mutumbami (wicket-keeper), Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chisoro, Neville Madziva, Malcolm Waller, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha
