T20 World Cup Thread Match 1 (9th February) - Zimbabwe vs Oman

[ZIMDOGGY]

BT is going nowhere, using Zim as his personal sports club. He may end up being the first 70 year old playing international cricket, closely followed by Raza.

He is still in our top 6

[secretzimbo]

BT is going nowhere, using Zim as his personal sports club. He may end up being the first 70 year old playing international cricket, closely followed by Raza.

He is still in our top 6

Hasn’t shown it in the past six months.

There’s a reason almost no sportspeople really play beyond their late 30’s. Let alone after having missed many years due to a ban and having a history of substance abuse. The guy is cooked.

[secretzimbo]

Kind of remarkable that Raza is still in peak physical condition and form, but he will decline soon - it’s a matter of time. Exact same has happened to Ervine, who is half the player he was even 5 years ago and is rarely fit either.

[ZIMDOGGY]

I think the Raza decline has already started but it's very slow moving. He struggles against pure pace.
BT I think work because he's a keeper. Only reason. I'd just bowl at his pads as he has always been an lbw target even at his peak, the runs will be less and less but I think there's a fair CHN e he and Ervine hold on just enough for twelve months
Besides who else is there? You'd rather them out and Munyonga and Gumbie in?

The gulf is still so wide.
Burl, Bennett, Raza, Curran and maybe Muramani are the only other bats who look capable.
Switch out Burl for Welch in tests. Maybe Marumani for someone too. Still a huge shortfall. The current under 19s aren't tossing anyone up anytime soon.

[Pat_Bee]

Yeah he’s on the slide. Really struggled last winter. Plenty of sub 100 strike rates bit of a resurgence in the sa20 though just in time for this.

I don’t think he’ll have as many fitness issues as the white lads. Lives a clean halal life and looks after himself. Old ramzan next week so he’ll be starving to death during the Sri Lanka and possibly Ireland games what a guy

[Pat_Bee]

There’s a reason almost no sportspeople really play beyond their late 30’s. Let alone after having missed many years due to a ban and having a history of substance abuse. The guy is cooked.

This wouldn’t happen anywhere else

[Zayn_63]

Naqvi in for raza
Curran in for ervine
Welch in for taylor

Why I mentioned curran & welch is because welch never played odi, Curran never got a shot a t20i. They both are yet to make debut in one format. Bennett on the other hand is established. Pressure though will be on Burl to step up once taylor ervine raza retire. The only real issue they are going to face is how to replace cremer. Ever since cremer left in 2018, they failed to replace him. Mavuta never really performed consistenly, masekesa is new. Most of the times raza & williams used to bowl 20 overs of spin. Wellington can never be an attacking wicket taking option like cremer thats why he is always in & out of the team. Masekesa I believe can be the next cremer. Other than that, all the 40 year olds can retire sooner than later, Zimbabwe do have replacements, they just didnt put a squad consisting of bennett curran naqvi welch. Players who will form the new core are burl muzarabani ngarava evans. Some domestic players will also get a call to the national side, mainly campbell who has played international cricket before and that Blignaut kid. Madande/Marumani will keep wickets.

I mean there won't be a case where Zim will struggle to find a consistent playing XI. I dont get why people think raza ervine taylor will leave a huge gap. Even when Zim had everyone, they failed to qualify for the world cup in 2018 v UAE. Some players who cant be replaced are Sean Williams & Gary Ballance.

Welch Curran Naqvi Bennett Madande(WK) Burl Evans Masekesa Newman Ngarava(C) Muzarabani Campbell Blignaut Marumani Jongwe/Maposa.

This squad has a lot of new faces along with some experienced guys.

[Andy31]

Yeah he’s on the slide. Really struggled last winter. Plenty of sub 100 strike rates bit of a resurgence in the sa20 though just in time for this.

I don’t think he’ll have as many fitness issues as the white lads. Lives a clean halal life and looks after himself. Old ramzan next week so he’ll be starving to death during the Sri Lanka and possibly Ireland games what a guy

Raza's kid is doing alright in school cricket. He might want to become the first father son duo in international cricket lol