2nd T20I | Zimbabwe vs India | July 7, 2024

It's good that they've had a massive loss instead of a close one, then it hurts more and takes a lot out of you... For the 3rd game the only way from here is up.

What's the update on Naqvi? His passport is not coming or they are just ignoring him? Both the things are weird actually, because as a cricket board you would select a player only if you are sure about his eligibility (meaning you are sure his passport will be done) otherwise you are wasting a spot. Secondly, if his passport has come, then he needs to play straight away because you don't go out of the way to select a player only to bench him.

So as I said, either way, Antum's scenario is wierd.

The delay is getting ICC clearance apparently. I don’t think they work Thursday to Sunday.

He’s either eligible or he isn’t and they’re trying to shuffle some paperwork to allow him to play. He’s not going from club cricket to giving India a snot squirt unless he’s a freak and

Has a really goood day.

We’ll see some changes next game.

Ya apparently the paperwork has gone to the ICC but they are waiting for it to come back before he can play.

If it gets sorted then my prediction is they'll add Marumani and Naqvi in for Kaia and Campbell. Ngarava if/when he is fit, but sounds unlikely. They might give Faraz a go in place of Luke.

With the current squad, Id go with this:

1 Bennett

2 Wes

3 Raza

4 Dion

5 Naqvi

6 Campbell

7 Madande

8 Jongwe

9 Larry

10 Blessing

11 Ngarava

Yeah at 1-1 the series is good. In fact I wanted 1 win in this series and that objective was achieved in the first match itself. So from here on anything else is a bonus for me against this Indian side.

Jaiswal will be coming in and that is a big boost for India. Zimbabwe need not get overwhelmed though, they just need to stick to the basics and do the right things... Whatever happens after that, happens.

Pat_Bee wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 8:52 pm

Can’t complain really even by the margin of defeat. It’s India, a country where guys are holding a bat and playing a game who’s name currently escapes me as soon as they can walk basically. There’s a few big names in the side and the rest are solid IPL pros who might be the next superstars. Even their Z team would be world class. We’ve got our win for the series so that’s a result for old salamander.

Nobody’s chasing 235 so young Wessly can have a pass from me today; context of the match he had a solid knock. Bennett seems the real deal. Johnno rightly or wrongly will get the chop if Knackers’ papers are sorted. Jongwe showed why he’s useful, Myers can have a pass for now and Larry 😂 he’s doing okay.

These India games are exposure. We can expect to be thoroughly schooled. The Ireland test and a couple of the Shadystan games down in blues are more realistic wins to be targeting.

These 5th generation Indians are neither here nor there. They’re not a patch on the shady modest hijabis who only seem to come out when Shadystan tour.

The one guy who actually owns a betting pool was here, last here during the T10.

I asked him if he’d lost money after the first game. He was wandering around in a daze, I think he’d lost his shirt. There were some guys I know who’d put some money on a Zim win at 6:1

You’re already giving Madhevere a pass for a really poor innings. His inability to score in the beginning was the nail in the coffin from the outset for a highly unlikely run chase, but we weren’t even competitive. He then settled into a run a ball 40 and you’re excusing it?

I’d honestly have rather seen him go out playing some shots. He doesn’t look like he’s got a big shot at the moment. Same as Luke, no pressure, played a run a ball innings and will likely get another game despite his really poor bowling.

Low full tosses Tino kept saying. Try waist high long hops.

There are talented guys here that have hit just as many balls as the Indians. They don’t have the monopoly on fanatical practice.

I don’t see why Campbell should be giving way for Knackers. Campbell struggled but everyone did against the spin. He’s at least trying to hit the ball with some venom. I’d really like to see him get a couple of overs. Give Campbell and whoever else is new a run at it. We’ve seen Madhevere, Kaia, Jongwe, masakadza, Shumba etc for years. Give potentially better players the same opportunities. As soon as you swap out a guy after a s**t game you’re breaking his mind before he starts, unless of course that’s the plan?

I was fairly sure Dion would struggle. This is the highest level of cricket and he’s been parachuted in without much T20 experience. I guess they sacrifice chickens and mumble incantations and just hope. But now he’s there give him a long go,

it's T20. A run-a-ball-40 is as good as completely useless, you are often better off getting out for a duck. Most teams around the world realise this, but still not Zimbabwe. And we wonder why our T20 batting is so shite.

Yesterday was Wes' 100th international fixture for Zimbabwe. He's a senior player, he doesn't need exposure - he needs results.