Jayson Karan
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team captain Craig Irvine has revealed that his charges are itching to get back into action nearly 40 days after their last international match against India in which they were sent packing by the Asia giants at the T20 international world cup in Australia. India won the match by 70 runs.
Zimbabwe host the visiting Irish in three T20 internationals at Harare Sports Club beginning Thursday. The other two T20 matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
“We want to carry on from where we left off in Australia, we want to build over a good run that saw us qualify for the World Cup and reaching the Super 12 in the competition,” Irvine told Zim GBC News.
“We really love to start our 2023 in a positive way, this will give us the much needed spring effect when we engage other much stronger opponents later in the year. We are confident of beating Ireland aided by the fact that we are at home,” the skipper said.
He however admitted that the Europeans are a tricky customer.
” We will do our best even though we will be missing the service of man of the moment Sikandar Raza who is away abroad playing in the money spinning International League T20 series. He is also expected to take part in the Pakistan Super League,” Irvine told Zim GBC News.
Another key player absent from the series is the gangling Blessing Muzarabani who is injured.
” We are very excited to have Gary Ballance in our books and can not wait to share notes in the locker room and during the matches,”the skipper also said ahead of the Zimbabwean born former England all-rounder Ballance’s switch from the Three Lions to the Chevrons.