Scotland v Zimbabwe, World T20 preview - Match 5

While Scotland grapples with the idea, Zimbabwe is only trying to get its three spinners to execute plans. With Welligton Masakadza leading the way, Zimbabwe has a fairly established spin group that includes Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams. None of the three was consistently effective in the first game but they do pose a threat in the middle stages.

Against Hong Kong, Tinashe Panyangara, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara, the medium pacers, bowled a disciplined length. One of the reasons the bowlers had that luxury was because the batsmen had set it up nicely. They put up a good total with Vusi Sibanda and Elton Chigumbura coming up with crucial runs, though Hamilton Masakadza’s dismissal for 20 brought an end to what could have been another visual treat.

The question now is if players like Richmond Mutumbami, Williams and Raza can step it up. The trio contributed 15 runs combined when it was required of them to stand strong. Fortunately, Malcolm Waller complemented Sibanda, but that can’t always be the case. Not with qualification on the line.

Teams (from):

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Tinashe Panyangara, Peter Moor, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Tendai Chisoro, Malcolm Waller, Vusi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Chamu Chibhabha, Tawanda Mupariwa.

Scotland: Preston Mommsen (capt), Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross (wk), Josh Davey, Con de Lange, Alasdair Evans, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Maine, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Mark Watt.