Pakistan is strong enough for 4th ODI in Faisalabad

The 4th ODI between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will take place in Faisalabad at Iqbal Stadium on 30 January 2008.

Pakistan won the 3rd ODI by 37 runs defeating Zimbabwe in the Mobilink Cup at Multan cricket ground on 27 January, led the five matches series 3-0. Pakistan won the toss and choose batting first, took 272 runs losing 9 wickets in 50 overs. Kamran Hussain, a Pakistani cricketer, made his debut in that match and took 28 runs remaining unbeaten. Shahid Afridi played a more rapid innings taking 85 runs from only 52 balls where had 2 boundaries, 6 over boundaries in that match and selected man of the match. Among others mentionable Misbah-ul-Haq took 44 and Nasir Jamshed 32. Sohail Tanvir and Shoaib Malik bagged 2 wickets every one, and Kamran Hussain, Shahid Afridi took 1 wickets every one.

Zimbabwe started their batting to chase 272 runs but at last they took 235 runs losing 7 wickets in 50 overs. Though Zimbabwe team has defeated 3 respective ODI matches yet they were struggling with their best ability for play well. SC Williams and BRM Taylor were batting well on behalf of Zimbabwe taking 71 and 55 runs respectively. Besides, E Chigumbura collected 42 runs. T Mupariwa bagged highest 4 wickets for giving 46 runs. E Chigumbura, GB Brent, CJ Chibhabha, and SC Williams haul 1 wicket every one.

The fourth ODI of the Mobilink series will be held at Iqbal stadium in Faisalabad on 30 January. Cricinfo

Pakistan vs Zimbabwe: Pakistan Squad for 3rd ODI

Pakistan team management has added Sohail Kahn and Khalid Latif in Pakistan squad for third ODI at Multan against Zimbabwe on January 27.

Sohail Khan, a right-arm first bowler, will be replaced in place of Samiulah Khan, a recently debutant cricketer, who failed to haul any wickets in last two ODIs. On the other hand Khalid Latif will be replaced in place of Sarfraz Ahamed, a reserve wicket Keeper.

Sohail Khan made his ODI debut in Karachi was shown his brilliant performance by taking 65 wickets in nine first-class matches in this season including four-day tour match against Zimbabwe. Sohail caused trouble in that four day match of Zimbabwean batsmen by his impressive pace and bounce bowling. But he was injured a slight in his right shoulder during throwing the ball, so he was in rest for a week to the advice of physician.

Pakistan team management wanted to change in their wicket keeping, so they added Sarfraz in their team though he wasn’t kept in team for the 3^rd ODI. So, according to the selectors Kamran Akmal will play in 3^rd ODI. Sarfraz has been sent to a special wicket-keeping camp in Lahore.

And Latif, who performed consecutive half-centuries from his debut in International cricket. Latif scored 593 runs in the recent finishing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. However, his conclusion in the team will create pressure on Salman butt, who has failed to get runs in last matches against Zimbabwe.

Squad : Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Anjum, Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Kamran Hussain, Khalid Latif, Sohail Khan. Source Cricinfo.com

Zimbabwe coach thinks well introduction can turn the match victory

Zimbabwe team is now visiting in Pakistan, where they will play a series of 5 ODI matches against Pakistan team. After a long time interval, Zimbabwe time is visiting Pakistan. Already the tourist team has defeated a four-day tour match in Karachi by an innings.

Robin Brown, who didn’t play test cricket, was appointed as coach of Zimbabwe cricket team in September last year. Brown admitted that yeas we lost by a big margin but we could recover it in well, the result is the only things that we failed to achieve because our bowlers took time a lot to adjust own selves in the new condition. Our batsmen couldn’t well; they past time in the middle and adjusted to the bounce and slowness pitch condition.

Brown, appointed Zimbabwe's coach in September last year, chose, however, to concentrate on the positives. "Yes, we lost by a big margin but we managed to get a lot out of it," he told Cricinfo. "I think a result was the only thing we failed to achieve because our bowlers got a chance to spend time bowling to good opposition under new conditions. Our batsmen, even though only a couple went past fifty, spent time in the middle and adjusted to the low bounce and slowness that is the subcontinent pitch. It's a learning process, whether it's accompanied by a win or a loss."

There was going a disaster in Zimbabwean cricket for long time. They leave their test status voluntarily in 2006 because they lost their first for player’s revolution in 2004. Many cricketers went out from the team for different individual reasons. Now the team is constitute by some inexperienced cricketers, who didn’t play over 50 matches.

However, many crackers come back now. Such as-Tatenda Taibu leaved the team with rash stroke in his body.

Now, the players need to carry experience and responsibility. Brown said that all the players are known how to improve and they are all responsible equally.

Croco Motors: The Sponsor of Zimbabwe Bangladesh One day Series

Croco Motors, the leading car dealer in Zimbabwe, will be sponsor of the One Day International Cricket Series that will start from February 3 in Harare Sports Club.

allAfrica reported:

Croco Motors have poured $100 million into the tour with chief executive officer Farai Matsika saying they felt obliged to play a part in Zimbabwe's preparations for the World Cup.

"Zimbabwe cricket is in an exciting phase where every shoulder is to the wheel in preparation for participation at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

"As a giant in the Zimbabwe motor industry, we could not just stand back and watch them in their national endeavour.

"We decided to strengthen our relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket and hence this sponsorship," said Matsika.

Andrew Muzamhindo, who is the head of Zimbabwe Cricket's commercial division welcomed for this role. He also added that it will competent the team for the next World Cup which will be hosted by the Caribbean.