Zimbabwe pros looking to devour 'amateur' hosts (21 March 1999)

21 March 1999

Zimbabwe pros looking to devour 'amateur' hosts

Hasan Masood

After losing yet again to Kenya last night, this time by eight wickets, hosts Bangladesh will take on powerful Zimbabwe in their second Meril International Cricket Tournament match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The day-night limited-overs clash between the favourites and the hosts will begin at 2 pm. Bangladesh Television will provide Live coverage while Radio Bangladesh will broadcast ball-by-ball commentary of the encounter. Sri Lankan umpire Peter Manuel and Pakistan umpire Javed Akhter will officiate today's match while Indian umpire VK Ramaswamy will act as the third eye.

This will be the third encounter between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe since Bangladesh got their ODI status in June, 1997.

The previous two meetings were held during the President Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 1997. Bangladesh lost the first match by 48 runs while they tasted their biggest ODI defeat in the second match when they went down to the Test babes by 192 runs.

"We have come here to win the tournament with an unbeaten record and we will do everything possible to keep our mission on," said a confident Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell after his team had a three-hour long nets at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday morning.

The skipper's intention was very much reflected in his team-mates, who came to practise after defeating Kenya by 133 runs in the inaugural match just 12 hours earlier.

"Both Bangladesh and Kenya are almost equal in standard. But we are not going to take anybody easily," said Campbell.

"We are professional cricketers and every match is important to us," said Campbell, adding that he was looking forward to Andy Flower and Paul Strang coming up again with their good form. Andy, the left-handed former Zimbabwe captain, scored 83 while leggie Strang returned with five for 22 against Kenya on Friday.

"Andy is always a responsible man and I have full confidence in him. Paul also bowled well and I hope he continues with his superb bowling," said Campbell. He also revealed that there would hardly be any changes in the team that played the first match.

Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam said his side had nothing to lose against Zimbabwe.

"They are the favourites. We will try our best to play positive cricket against them," said Aminul.

Talking at the post-match ceremony last night, a dejected Aminul said Bangladesh could not afford to look behind and would have to win two of the remaining three matches to remain in contention.

Bangladesh: Aminul Islam (captain), Khaled Mashud, Khaled Mahmud, Shahriar Hossain, Mehrab Hossain, Javed Omar, Al-Shahriar, Akram Khan, Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Haque, Hasibul Hossain, Shafiuddin Ahmed, Aminul Islam Junior, Manjurul Islam, Naimur Rahman, Neeyamur Rashid, Mahbubur Rahman, Faruque Ahmed and Jahangir Alam.

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell, Eddo Brandes, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Murray Goodwin, Adam Huckle, Neil Johnson, M. Mbangwa, Henry Olonga, Paul Strang, Heath Streak, D Viljoen, Guy Whittall and Andrew Whittall.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)