Zimbabwe Twenty20 Triangular Series

[Sir john]

Confusion over Bangladesh's Zimbabwe tour dates

Bangladesh's proposed tour of Zimbabwe in August has been delayed by the relaying of pitches in Harare and Bulawayo, but there's confusion over the length of the delay. Zimbabwe Cricket wanted to postpone the tour to October but the Bangladesh Cricket Board is against playing at that time because it would clash with the domestic season and the staging of the newly formed National Cricket League. "They (Zimbabwe) have informed us that neither of their grounds is prepared so it won't be possible in August," Enayet Hossain Siraj, the BCB's chairman of the cricket operations committee, told the Dhaka paper Daily Star. "They proposed a tour in October but it won't be possible because we will have our domestic season at the time. So we agree to hold it in April 2013." However, Zimbabwe are yet to confirm if the series will indeed take place next year. "We have requested (the BCB) that the series be moved to October from August," Ozias Bvute, ZC's managing director, told ESPNcricinfo. "This is because we want to work on our wickets and squares in Harare and Bulawayo; they have been very flat over the last few years so we want to make them livelier. We were supposed to do this work earlier but because South Africa are visiting for five T20s in June, we can only do it later." Bangladesh were scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 during the tour. In the coming months, they will tour Europe to play Ireland in a four-day game, three one-dayers and two Twenty20 games. There is also a possibility of matches against Netherlands and Scotland during the tour. Their immediate tour is to Pakistan, for an ODI and Twenty20 later this month. With less than two weeks left for the first game on April 29, the team hasn't started training yet, though its been a hastily arranged tour. The more pressing matter, however, is whether Bangladesh will be given a schedule to train. Siraj said the committee is waiting for the ICC's assessment report. "We have discussed the issue but we will wait for the ICC to let the board know about the progress," he said. Meanwhile, the BCB has been invited to send a team to Trinidad & Tobago for a tournament commemorating the island's Independence Day in August. The winners will get $20,000 and the organisers will bear all expenses. A BCB XI could be sent, it was learned.

:((:((

[Sir john]

Zimbabwe Twenty20 Triangular Series South Africa T20s may not be televised, says ZC

South Africa's five T20s against Zimbabwe in Harare in June may not be televised as Zimbabwe Cricket is unlikely to be able to afford the costs involved. The matches will be played between June 20 and 24, in accordance with South Africa's request earlier this year. The tour is an addition to the Zimbabwe board's planned budget, which will impact on its ability to provide television coverage. "It will cost us a lot of money to get a broadcast deal and because this was not part of our initial plans, we have not budgeted for it," Ozias Bvute, managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket, told ESPNcricinfo. "But South Africa are our neighbours and they requested this from us, so we will host the matches. As long as it is cost neutral, we can make it happen." So far, the only costs Zimbabwe Cricket will incur are the South Africa team's hotel expenses. Zimbabwe's board is on a tight budget and made a loss on all three incoming tours hosted during the 2011-12 season. It remains committed to seeking out more competition as part of the plan to re-establish the team at Test level and will likely also host an A tour later in the winter. The five T20s will not be recognised as internationals but have instead been given practice match status because the visit is not part of the Future Tours Programme. They were organised on special request after Gary Kirsten, South Africa's coach, asked to play more 20-over fixtures before the World Twenty20 in September. All five fixtures will be played in the afternoon to "accommodate the shorter daylight hours", according to Zimbabwe Cricket. South Africa will arrive in Harare on June 18 and play one practice game before the back-to-back engagements start on June 20. South Africa have not been to Zimbabwe since August 2007, for an ODI series, and are not scheduled to play Tests against their neighbours until 2014, although they have sent various A teams to play first-class matches and in tri-series, as well as hosted Zimbabwe in 2010. The South Africa visit will mark the end of a five-month break for Zimbabwe, who last played in early February on their tour of New Zealand. Zimbabwe do not have any international engagements over the winter but are due to host Bangladesh in the 2012-13 season. South Africa and Zimbabwe are in the same group for the World T20, which also includes Sri Lanka. South Africa have not won an ICC trophy since 1998 and Kirsten has been tasked with changing that.

1st T20: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare Jun 20, 2012 2nd T20: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare Jun 21, 2012 3rd T20: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare Jun 22, 2012 4th T20: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare Jun 23, 2012 5th T20: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare Jun 24, 2012

[Sir john]

Zimbabwe Twenty20 Triangular Series Sibanda makes a comeback in Zimbabwe squad

Vusi Sibanda has made a return to Zimbabwe's national squad and was included in the 24-man training group to play South Africa in five Twenty20 matches in June. Sibanda was not considered for Zimbabwe's January tour of New Zealand after he chose to play grade cricket in Australia instead of fulfilling domestic commitments in Zimbabwe. Although Sibanda returned home after a five-week stint for Eastern Suburbs in Sydney before the New Zealand tour, Zimbabwe Cricket's (ZC) cricket committee decided not to select him on principle. At the time, Sibanda was told that if he renewed his commitment to ZC, he would be considered again. Sibanda finished the 2011-12 season with his local franchise, the Mid West Rhinos, for whom he played four first-class and five limited-overs matches, including a 162 against Mountaineers. Zimbabwe do not have any international assignment through the winter, but Sibanda's path back to the national team appears to be clear as he was included in the preliminary squad for the practice matches against South Africa. "I am very pleased that the issues are done and dusted," Alan Butcher, Zimbabwe coach, told ESPNcricinfo. "Now, Vusi can move forward and put it out of his mind." The training squad is a strong group, including many of the faces who steered Zimbabwe to a successful Test comeback in August last year. Brendan Taylor will lead the team propped up by the experience of Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Elton Chigumbura and Tatenda Taibu. Experienced seamer Chris Mpofu also makes a comeback after missing the New Zealand series with a lower back injury. Some of the newer faces include under-19 wicketkeeper batsman Kevin Kasuza and medium-pacer Richard Muzhange. Zimbabwe have packed the training squad with bowlers as seamers Tendai Chatara and Njabula Ncube as well as legspinner Natsai Mushangwe been given the opportunity to work with the national team. "I am very happy with the group we've got," Butcher said. "We've decided that in T20s, we should try and look more at allrounders for the side." Chigumbura, Waller, Meth and Shingi Masakadza are the four premier allrounders in the squad. The five matches, which will take place in Harare from June 20-24, have not been given international status because they will take place outside of the FTP. They will also not be broadcast on television, given ZC's financial crunch. South Africa are hoping to use the matches as preparation for the World T20 in September and Butcher said Zimbabwe will do the same. "It gives us a chance to work on a few things and see the make up of the side," he said. "I was quite happy with the way we played T20 cricket in New Zealand and hopefully we can build on that." Zimbabwe lost all the matches they played on the New Zealand trip, but gave the best account of themselves in the Twenty20s. "It will be good for us to play against another top side and that's exactly what South Africa are," Butcher said. "We've got a great bunch of guys who have been working hard so we're excited about what's to come." Zimbabwe squad: Brendan Taylor (capt), Tatenda Taibu, Elton Chigumbura, Malcolm Waller, Charles Coventry, Forster Mutizwa, Graeme Cremer, Raymond Price, Tendai Chatara, Prosper Utseya, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Brian Vitori, Keegan Meth, Njabulo Ncube, Kevin Kasuza, Chamu Chibhabha, , Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Richard Muzhange, Vusi Sibanda, Craig Ervine

[rkt.india]

Looking forward to the bowling of Richard Muzhange.:two_thumbs_up: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZRuvKymijU]richard muzahnge death bowling - YouTube[/ame]

[Clarke]

sir john u were gonna quit, we provided plenty of evidence on Odoyo's arrest :mad:

[Magneto]

sir john u were gonna quit' date=' we provided plenty of evidence on Odoyo's arrest :mad:[/quote'] Sir John is not someone who can stick to a promise. Just not a man of his word :headshake:

[Clarke]

^^ Why would he stick to his promise ? Its not like he's a Rajput :headshake:

[Sir john]

sir john u were gonna quit' date=' we provided plenty of evidence on Odoyo's arrest :mad:[/quote'] stfu:finger:

[Desi Cartman]

No one gives a crap about whom zim play but adding other 2 teams in the OP or at least highlighting them would have made it somewhat informative

[Sir john]

No one gives a crap about whom zim play but adding other 2 teams in the OP or at least highlighting them would have made it somewhat informative

we dont need attention.:sherlock:

[Magneto]

The five matches, which will take place in Harare from June 20-24, have not been given international status because they will take place outside of the FTP

Typical SJ and his no-one-gives-a-feck matches.

[Magneto]

^^ Why would he stick to his promise ? Its not like he's a Rajput :headshake:

He's not a Rajput, he's a Lilliput. :secret:

[Sir john]

laxy ass mods why this merging bangladesh going to visit zim in oct-nov too

[Sir john]

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful and opening batsman Junaid Siddique have been recalled for the unofficial Twenty20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa next month after reasonable performances in Bangladesh Premier League. They replaced Nazimuddin and Jahurul Islam, both of whom were in the top-order during the Asia Cup in March. The Akram Khan-led selection panel also left out Shahadat Hossain and Imrul Kayes and included allrounders Farhad Reza and Ziaur Rahman. The selectors have also retained uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Anamul Haque and fast bowler Abul Hasan, who replaced Shafiul Islam midway through the Asia Cup after Shafiul had hurt his shoulder. This season, Ashraful and Junaid have batted like they used to in the early part of their careers in the Twenty20 format. Ashraful has the most runs in T20Is for Bangladesh and was the second highest scorer among country's batsmen in the BPL with 258 runs at a strike-rate of 112.66 including a fifty. Junaid scored 238 runs in the BPL and had been in good form in first-class cricket. He played his last T20I in August 2009 against West Indies. "Junaid [siddique] has a very good reputation as a Twenty20 player and most importantly, he played well in BPL and in the later part of the National Cricket League," Akram said. "Ashraful also looked good in the domestic competition as he always does. It is also true that he cannot fulfill our expectations, but we want to keep faith in him because he is a very good option for Twenty20 cricket," he added. Ashraful is currently playing for Blackheath Club in the Kent Premier League and will return to the country on June 8. But many will closely follow how Ziaur steps up to the bigger stage in his first recall since being named in the provisional squad for the inaugural World Twenty20 five years ago. A 25-year-old allrounder, Ziaur's medium-pace bowling has been overshadowed by his big-hitting capabilities. Ziaur tapered off during the intervening period but has had a much better season for Khulna, his first-class side, before making important top-order contributions for Chittagong Kings in the BPL. In the country's top one-day league, the Dhaka Premier League, Ziaur has been instrumental in Old DOHS Sports Club's stay at the top of the table with some quick runs during the Powerplays. IN: Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Farhad Reza and Ziaur Rahman OUT: Imrul Kayes, Jahurul Islam, Nazimuddin, Shafiul Islam, Shahadat Hossain Imrul Kayes could consider himself unlucky as he has had very few chances since being sidelined during the Asia Cup. He had made it into the squad after finding some form in domestic cricket but lost out to Nizamuddin as Tamim Iqbal's opening partner. Now Imrul, Nizamuddin and Jahurul have been cast aside. "[Jahurul Islam] Omi is unlucky because as a back-up wicketkeeper-batsman [Anamul Haque] Bijoy impressed us the most. Bijoy has been in good touch and performed well in all levels of domestic cricket. He is a good prospect," Akram said. "On the other hand Imrul [Kayes] is a good opening batsman but he is suited for the 50-overs game." It would be the first opportunity for skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and the team management, led by newly-appointed coach Richard Pybus, to assess resources in the Twenty20 format. Akram too sees this as the first of three opportunities to put together a balanced line-up for the ICC World Twenty20s in September. "We have good opportunity to find out the right combination for the Twenty20 World Cup. We are scheduled to play in Zimbabwe, Trinidad & Tobago and Ireland and thought we are not in favour of making changes, we always want to recognise performances," Akram said. Bangladesh arrive in Harare on June 13 and take on Zimbabwe in the first game of the tournament on June 17. Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Mahmudullah (vice-capt), Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Anamul Haque, Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Elias Sunny, Mashrafe Mortaza, Farhad Reza, Nazmul Hossain, Ziaur Rahman, Abul Hasan

[Sir john]

Faf du Plessis, the middle order batsman, has been named in South Africa's 15-man squad for the unofficial Twenty20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, in Zimbabwe in June, while Chris Morris, the Highveld Lions allrounder, has received a maiden call-up. The squad will be led by Johan Botha. AB de Villiers, allrounder Jacques Kallis and the fast-bowling pair of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been rested because all four played extensively during the recent IPL and will likely be needed in all three formats for the upcoming series against England. Du Plessis has played 21 ODIs for South Africa but has never been part of the Twenty20 squad. He staked a claim for a place in the shortest format after a successful stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2012. Du Plessis, who opened the batting and scored three half-centuries, held the orange cap for being the leading scorer in the tournament at one stage, although he finished 13th on the batting charts. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, du Plessis said, "If I could pick where to bat in 20-over cricket, I would say I'd like to open. It suits my style of batting because I am someone who can hit the ball over the top and along the ground, and I've learned when to hold back and when to go for it." Du Plessis has been tipped to open the batting with world-record holder Richard Levi, although that would probably come at the expense of limited-overs vice-captain Hashim Amla. While du Plessis' inclusion in the national squad was expected, Morris' came as a complete surprise to everyone, including himself. "One of my former provincial coaches, Lawrence Mahatlane called me up to say congratulations and I wasn't sure what he was talking about," Morris, who has also been picked in the South Africa A side to play Sri Lanka A, told ESPNcricinfo. "I don't know what to do yet. I'm not sure if I should jump and down or what. I was just happy to be playing franchise cricket and I didn't even think about the national side at all. I've come such a long way in such a short time, that definitely wasn't in my thoughts." Morris has just completed his first full season as a franchise cricketer, having been spotted by former Highveld Lions coach Gordon Parsons in Centurion in 2009. South Africa's 15-man squad Johan Botha (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dane Vilas (wk) "Gordon saw me there and asked me if I wanted to go to trials at the Lions and I did," he said. "Before that I was playing club cricket in Pretoria and to be honest, I didn't really set the scene alight. But then I got offered to go to the Lions academy and the rest is history. The Lions have taught me everything I know about my game." After playing in the amateur competition for a season, Morris was contracted to the Lions for the 2011-12 season. He scored two half-centuries and took 23 wickets at an average of 26.00 in the first-class competition and was the leading bowler overall in the MiWay T20 competition, with 21 wickets. It was his performances in the shortest format that earned him his national call-up. "He was also very effective as a lower order hitter and played a very significant role in getting the Lions to the final," Cricket South Africa's selection convenor, Andrew Hudson, said. Morris opened the bowling and stepped up to bowl at the death as well, two roles he has enjoyed. "I wanted that kind of responsibility because when I have that, then I focus more," Morris said. While Morris has played club cricket in England before, he has never travelled as part of a tour, except at school, and has also never been to Zimbabwe. Most of the national squad are relative strangers to him as he has only met them as opponents occasionally in the past. "I'm really excited and really looking forward to it," he said. "The more I can talk to people, the more I am going to learn." The rest of the squad includes players who have been given opportunity in the past. Both Farhaan Behardien and Dane Vilas featured in South Africa's XI for a one-off Twenty20 against India in March. Behardien has been a consistent performer for the Titans in the last few seasons and will bat in the middle-order, while Dane Vilas will don the wicketkeeping gloves. Botha continues as captain, after he also led the team in the match against India, an indication that he remains part of South Africa's World Twenty20 plans. He will be released from his national contract after the ICC event in September to captain South Australia and will not participate in the South African domestic season.

[Tiger-Don]

Bangladesh should be able to win this tournament easily...yes im on my senses and yes the Tigers will tear apart south africans!

[bangladeshifan]

Bangladesh should be able to win this tournament easily...yes im on my senses and yes the Tigers will tear apart south africans!

phiksed

[Sir john]

Zimboks :cheer:

[Sir john]

Hope matsi play nd score some fifties. matsi :cheer:

[Sir john]

The unofficial Twenty20 tri-series between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Bangladesh in Harare this month will be broadcast on television, even though it was initially thought the series would not be televised. South African broadcaster SuperSport confirmed they would screen the seven-match event live, as part of their commitment to both Cricket south Africa (CSA) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC). The rights have also been sold to Bangladesh television. "We are proud partners and want to showcase the talents of youngsters like Chris Morris, Colin Ingram and Richard Levi," Brandon Foot, head of acquisitions and legal for SuperSport, said. "With South Africa's tour of England also due, I've little doubt that interest will be at a premium, notwithstanding the unofficial status." Organisation for the series finally appears to have come a full circle as it graduated from a five-match bilateral event between South Africa and Zimbabwe to a tournament that also includes Bangladesh. Although the Zimbabwe board had said the costs of television production would be too much for it to bear, the inclusion of Bangladesh eased some of the monetary concerns and paved the way for the series to be broadcast. The matches will be without official status because the competition is outside the Future Tour Programme. South Africa initially requested the tour as part of their planning for the World Twenty20 and named a young squad without regular captain AB de Villiers. Bangladesh asked to be part of the series after their request to play ODIs in South Africa was turned down by CSA, who said they could not accommodate any additional matches. ZC then restructured the event so South Africa would still only need to spend a week in the country to play four matches. While South Africa will use the series as part of the build up to the full tour of England starting in July, for Zimbabwe it is a rare opportunity to play competitive cricket before the World Twenty20. Zimbabwe have not played since their January tour of New Zealand and only have this series and a triangular A series against South Africa A and Sri Lanka A in July. Zimbabwe's scheduled hosting of Bangladesh in August was postponed because of maintenance work on the pitches in Harare and Bulawayo. Bangladesh were also in danger of not playing enough matches before the World Twenty20. After their Zimbabwe tour was pushed back, Bangladesh tried to engage South Africa for a series, but were rejected. They have since secured matches against Ireland and Netherlands.