Zimbabwe arrive in Pakistan with high hopes (15 November 1998)

15 November 1998

Zimbabwe arrive in Pakistan with high hopes

AFP

KARACHI, Nov 15 (AFP) - Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell said his team were confident of winning their upcoming series in Pakistan as his 15-member squad arrived Sunday after losing the three-nation Sharjah final to India=2E

The tourists will play three one-day internationals, the first on November 20 at Gujranwala. The limited over games will be followed by a three-match Test series.

"We have a very good chance and we approach every series with a positive frame of mind. And our recent Test win against India and our performance in Sharjah show we are improving," Campbell told AFP.

Zimbabwe beat India by 61 runs in Harare last month, only their second Test win in 31 attempts. Their first came against Pakistan by an innings four years ago although they still lost the home series 2-1.

"Of course Pakistan is a very formidable team and they are hard to beat on home ground. We have an allround side and if both teams play positive cricket it will be an exciting series," Campbell forecast.

Salisbury-born Campbell said beating India in the last Test had been a boost for his young side.

"But this is a new tour and we will start afresh," he said.

Zimbabwe are on their third tour of Pakistan. They lost 2-0 on their maiden foreign tour in 1992-93 and lost 1-0 in the two match series in 1996-97.

Pakistan, smarting from their 1-0 defeat against Australia, their first loss against Australia on home soil in 39 years, are warming up in a training camp in Lahore.

"We respect Pakistan's cricketing ability and after their loss against Australia they will be gunning for the win," Campbell said.

He added that the return of paceman Eddo Brandes had boosted his side's bowling, while South-Africa based Neil Johnson was an "exciting allrounder" who could help Zimbabwe provide a shock, though they have yet to win an away Test.

"The boys are in high spirits after their win against India and their recent one-day performances make them an improved side," said coach-cum manager Dave Houghton.

Houghton said he believed the team would give Pakistan "a tough fight in both one-dayers and Tests."

Zimbabwe will play three Tests with the first at Peshawar starting from November 27 with the remaining two Tests in Lahore and Faisalabad.

The tour opens with a one-day warm-up against a Karachi side here on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe squad: A.Campbell (captain), A.Flower (vice captain), G.Flower, N. Johnson, M.Goodwin, C.Wishart, H.Streak, P.Strang, E.Brandes, A.Whittal, H. Olonga, A.Huckle, G.Rennie, M.Mbangwa and C.Evans. Manager cum coach: D. Houghton, Physio: A.Machikicho