[Match Thread] Pakistan v Zimbabwe, 1st T20I

[maehara]

Lahore, 22nd May. Given our T20 ranking is woeful (Zimbabwe 12th, Pakistan 5th), I'm not holding out much hope. If I was playing, I may be rather... distracted by other concerns, too...

[eugene]

Maybe the boys will have some extra adrenalin in their systems. Might be a change from the usual go-slow we see from our batters in T20.

[Jemisi]

Just hoping they all come home safe

[jaybro]

Raza
Chamu
Hami
Williams
Ervine
Choppa wk
Chigs C
Cremer
Mupariwa
Panyangara
Mpofu

Would be my side for Friday, leaving Vusi out cause he is a terrible t20 batsman and the rest pick them selves. Bowling wise I'd give Cremer a go cause we don't need 8 batsman in a t20 so he is worth a gamble plus if he goes for 30 in his first two overs we can make up his other two from Raza or Hami. I'd like to see Mpofu and Mupariwa because they can bowl better at the death than Panayangara and Vitori although Vitori's batting might be useful ......

[SpitfiresKent]

Surely you've got to have Choppa opening the batting...



BOOM!

[Ming]

Not sure I want Ervine anywhere close to the T20 side, but what are the other options....Vusi, Mutumbami, Kaia?

Might be an idea to blood either of the last two in the hit and giggle...yes, Vusi has lovely drives and if the stars are correctly aligned, the moon phase is correct, he hasn't forgotten his lucky underpants, etc. he might hit a double century, but I'm tired of waiting!

[jaybro]

Not sure what all the hate for Ervine is for? He was probably our third best batsman at the WC and is probably suited to short form cricket more so than tests ......

The fact we only have 5 matches mean there isn't much time for experimentation ......

[Conant]

Not sure what all the hate for Ervine is for? He was probably our third best batsman at the WC and is probably suited to short form cricket more so than tests ......

The fact we only have 5 matches mean there isn't much time for experimentation ......

He's woeful that's why. The sole reason why Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams (Mooney notwithstanding
took us close but still failed to take us over the line. 16 balls, 11 runs in the dearth overs. That's why he shouldn't be anywhere near the T20 side.

I have no idea who will open, in the new absence of Brandan Taylor. Its upset the balance of the whole side. But I think Choppa Coventry is best in the middle overs, though that responsibility seemed top have been taken up by Raza lately.

Really want Vusi to succeed sometime but maybe best we wait for the ODIs.

In other news, isn't it curious how cricinfo seemed to want to quote Sean Williams (He's no Taylor) and Craig WErvine rather that the erudite, lucid Sikandar Razza?

Williams: "Safe and sound in Lahore..time for rest and training begins tomorrow..#PAKvZIM."

Ervine: "Sitting in the business Lounge at Harare airport awaiting departure!#nervous#rightorwrongchoice."

Raza: "We have been welcomed with open hearts,smiles and love from people of PAKISTAN!
May allah bless both nations and their citizens."

Chibhabha: "A lot of Pakistanis here at the airport wishing us well,this is a big deal for them and I hope everything goes smoothly."

[jaybro]

Ervine averages more then Hami, Vusi, Chamu, Raza, Chigs and pretty much any other under achieving batsman in Zimbabwe yet he is useless??

On the mark as usual Conant

[jimmylesaint]

Must say Ervine is class. Conant is just being a closet racist again
Raza
Kaia
Hami
Williams
Ervine
Choppa wk
Chigs C
Mupariwa
Prosper
Vittori
Cremer

Anyone want to bet a burger and beer? I say Zimbabwe will win- the mood in the camp is great(despite the defeatist, treacherous treasonous loser comment from Overlord Bvute- he should be sacked)
The Technical team is good and positive. A happy team for the first time in many years means a winning team.