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Arab News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Signs of hope for a cricket nation in transition
On May 23, a one-off, four-day Test match began at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, between England and Zimbabwe. It was the first match in any format between the countries since 2007 and only the seventh Test match played between them. The last meeting was in 2003 when England hosted two Tests, winning both by an innings. Overall, England has won four of the seven Tests, with three drawn. Two of these were in December 1996, the first time England toured Zimbabwe, which was granted full membership of the International Cricket Council in 1992. Zimbabwe's playing performances over the last three decades have fluctuated drastically. In the first 30 Test matches, only one was won, at home to Pakistan in early 1995. This prompted discussion that the granting of Test status had been premature. However, a talented group of players emerged to provide the basis for a Test team that became one of the hardest to beat in the late 1990s. It won a one-off Test against India in October 1998, following up on this by beating Pakistan 1-0 in a three-match Test series in November and December 1998. The one-day international team qualified for the 1999 World Cup, narrowly missing out to New Zealand on a semi-final place because of an inferior net run-rate. These golden years were ended by political turmoil. The 2003 World Cup was jointly hosted by Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa. Concerns over security of players caused England to forfeit a match scheduld to be played in Harare. A desperate shortage of food, a deteriorating economic situation and violent clashes between rival factions led two Zimbabwean players, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, to stage a protest. In a long statement they said that they could not 'ignore the fact that millions of our compatriots are starving, unemployed and oppressed … that thousands of Zimbabweans are routinely denied their right to freedom of expression.' They wore black armbands, 'mourning the death of democracy.' Unsurprisingly, the government was embarrassed, both players were dismissed from the team and felt compelled to leave Zimbabwe. Team harmony, already affected by government involvement in selection, was further disrupted, with a succession of players deciding to end their international careers prematurely. In 2004, the team captain, Heath Streak, was sacked by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, prompting 14 other players to walk out. Despite attempts at rapprochement, results failed to improve in an environment of mistrust. Another bout of player resignations led the cricket board to voluntarily suspend the team from Test cricket in late 2005. After a six-year exile, Test cricket returned to Zimbabwe in August 2011 when Bangladesh was beaten in a one-off match in Harare. In subsequent years, off-the-field issues continued to dominate, whilest performances on the field were patchy and disappointing. In July 2019, the ICC voluntarily suspended Zimbabwe Cricket from ICC tournaments because it had failed to ensure that it was free from government interference. This meant that ICC funding was frozen and that neither men's nor women's teams could compete in T20 World Cup preliminaries and qualifiers, despite a lifting of the suspension three months later. It is only recently that greater optimism for the future of cricket in Zimbabwe has emerged. Control over finances seems to have been established, ICC funding of $13.5 million being used to support a five -team domestic structure, national sides and the expensive business of hosting Test matches. Since 1992, the men's Test team has played 124 Test matches, winning only 14, drawing 30 and losing 80. It would be easy for ZC to downplay Test cricket at a time when its relevance is being questioned. The stance of ZC's chair, Tavengwa Mukhulani, is diametrically opposite. He wants to see all Full Member teams play each other on a home and away basis, believing that the way for Zimbabwean cricketers to improve is by playing the stronger teams. Consequently, Mukuhlani is not in favor of a two-tier Test system. It is also an issue for him that Zimbabwe is not part of the World Test Championship, for reasons which are not clear to him. Zimbabwe's commitment to Test cricket is clear. In 2025, it will play 11 Tests, joint highest with Australia. The issues for Zimbabwe at Test level were illustrated at Trent Bridge. England was invited to bat first and raced to score almost 500 runs on Day 1, against bowling that betrayed a lack of knowledge of how to perform on an English pitch. In reply to England's 565 for six, declared, Zimbabwe's batters attacked, none more so than Brian Bennett, 21. He wrote himself into the history books by scoring the fastest Test century for Zimbabwe. Although England ultimately won by an innings and 45 runs, it was clear that Zimbabwe has talent to nurture. Some of this nurturing will fall to experienced team members. One of them, Sikandar Rasa, has played for Zimbabwe since 2013. Prior to the Test at Nottingham, he was playing in the Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars. Once the Test, in which he bowled 25 overs and batted for 20 overs, had finished a day early, he flew back to Lahore via Birmingham, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, arriving minutes before play started. Lahore was set 202 to win. When Rasa went out to bat, 57 runs were needed from 3.2 overs. He immediately hit a four and six and, in the final over, repeated the feat to secure victory with one delivery remaining. Zimbabwean cricket has suffered tough times over the past 20 years. Superhuman feats such as Rasa's and the individual performances witnessed at Nottingham, where the team enjoyed colourful and musical support, provide hope for a brighter future. In Zimbabwe's first World Cup match at Trent Bridge in June 1983, when Australia was dramatically beaten by 13 runs, a bright future was suggested. Then, the team consisted almost entirely of white players, Ali Shah being the exception. Fifteen years later, nine of the team were white. At Trent Bridge last week, seven of the team were black, including the 6 foot, eight inches tall fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani, who had claimed 26 Test wickets in 2025 prior to Nottingham. Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe between 1980 and 2017, is attributed with saying that 'Cricket civilises people and creates good gentlemen. I want everyone to play cricket in Zimbabwe. I want ours to be a nation of gentlemen.' Noticeably, there was no mention of women. Zimbabwe's women's team made its international debut in 2006 at the ICC Africa Regional Qualifier for the Women's Cricket World Cup. The team has yet to reach the final stages of a World Cup although it did win a gold medal at the Africa Games in 2023. Currently, the team consists entirely of black players. In the past two decades, a transformation has taken place that has turned the men's national cricket team into one that more closely represents Zimbabwe's demographics, in which white Zimbawean's make up less than 1 percent of the 17 million population. The women's team is totally reflective of that fact. Zimbabwean cricket needs an era of stability and support to allow its new generation of cricketers to mature.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shoaib Bashir grabs six Zimbabwe wickets as England win Test in three days
There were periods of resistance, some eye-catching shots and supporters cheering them on from the stands. But Zimbabwe could not prevent the inevitable or even reach the fourth day. England, inspired by six wickets from Shoaib Bashir, wrapped up this one-off Test by an innings and 45 runs. Even factoring in lowly opposition who froze on day one and could only battle for respectability thereafter, nine wickets in the match added up to another chapter in Bashir's remarkable rise. After all, he was plugging away on loan for Glamorgan at the start of the summer and had just two victims to show for it. Related: Ben Stokes hits out at 'twisted agenda' over centurion Pope's status Things change when Bashir slips on an England shirt and pops up the collar like Eric Cantona back in the day. Assisted by a breeze and pumped full of weapons-grade confidence by Ben Stokes, the 21-year-old got the ball to drift and drop on Zimbabwe's batters in a manner that bodes well for the days ahead. India are up next and England need their spinner in form. It was needed, too. Tasked with backing up their efforts from the previous day, England's seamers struggled for impact a second time around. Sam Cook was struggling to summon up his county form on debut, while Gus Atkinson was clearly nursing a sore quad muscle and sent down three overs. Josh Tongue, though dutifully pounding in to deliver a short-ball plan for his captain, was not quite extracting the same bite as witnessed 24 hours earlier. They were also met by a second stirring pushback from Zimbabwe to follow Brian Bennett's whizz-bang century on day two. Following on and resuming on 30 for two, a fourth-wicket stand worth 122 runs from Sean Williams and Ben Curran – the former dashing, the latter digging in – was giving rise to thoughts of a wicketless morning. Only Stokes looked threatening among the quicks. But on the stroke of lunch an arm ball from Bashir beat a sweep by Williams on 88 and delivered a tight lbw. Curran slapped one straight to Stokes at cover after the restart to leave Zimbabwe 142 for four, 158 runs arrears, with only a dashing 60 from the experienced Sikandar Raza softening what followed. Bashir, as Stokes stressed after the win, is not the finished article. But he is a quick learner, as shown by his growing improvement to the right-handers. After unstitching the Zimbabwe lower order – the juiciest being another dipper that castled Tafadzwa Tsiga – those county struggles felt a distant memory. While Stokes was delighted for Bashir, he was simply in awe at the catch that produced his own wicket. Harry Brook was the fielder in question, producing a one-handed screamer above his head at second slip to remove Wesley Madhevere for 31. Having left Stuart Broad aghast on this ground with a similar stunner 10 years ago, Stokes was now the one wide-eyed. Related: Sean Williams seizes rare Test chance as Zimbabwe show love and pride in defeat | Andy Bull Beyond the niggle to Atkinson, and perhaps some concerns at Cook looking a bit toothless on day two, it added up to a pretty satisfactory outing for England. Most encouraging was probably Stokes sending down 11.2 overs without the body creaking. That he extracted good movement from a batter-friendly surface was an added bonus. While he would have liked some time in the middle, his top order cashed in on the first day with centuries for Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. The subject of the latter's place was the captain's only gripe, insisting his suggestion of an instant return for Jacob Bethell before the match had been misinterpreted. After Pope's 171, even against a callow attack on a high-scoring ground, Bethell will surely have to wait his turn. As for Zimbabwe, it is not often a team swept aside by an innings is the one doing the lap of honour. But after waiting 22 years to play in England, and Bennett etching his name in history, they were well within their rights to thank their wonderful fans. It may not have been much of a contest out in the middle but this was still a significant Test match.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
England beat Zimbabwe comfortably in four-day Test at Trent Bridge
Nottingham: England started their international summer with a dominant performance, defeating Zimbabwe in just five sessions of play in their four-day Test at Trent Bridge. The match ended with more than a full day to spare as England bowled Zimbabwe out twice, securing a comfortable win, as per ESPNcricinfo. Offspinner Shoaib Bashir was the star on the final day, taking his fourth Test five-wicket haul, the most by any England player before turning 22, and his second five-for at Nottingham. He ended with match figures of 9/143. Despite the heavy loss, the Zimbabwe players and their supporters remained in high spirits. This was Zimbabwe's first Test in England in 22 years, and their enthusiastic fans filled the stadium with noise and colour, even staying back to applaud the team during their lap of appreciation after the match. Zimbabwe showed some fight with the bat, especially through Sean Williams, Ben Curran, Sikandar Raza, and Wessly Madhevere. Williams was the top performer, scoring 88 runs and sharing a 122-run partnership with Curran for the second wicket. Raza also stood out, hitting a half-century and building a solid 65-run stand with Madhevere. Although Zimbabwe didn't manage to force England to bat again, falling 45 runs short, their resilience and moments of quality batting gave fans reasons to be hopeful. The team will now prepare for upcoming home Test matches against South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. For England, this game served as a warm-up before a busy Test schedule, which includes a five-match home series against India and the Ashes in Australia. There were a few concerns regarding their main fast bowlers, who seemed to lack impact, but Ben Stokes, returning from hamstring surgery, looked sharp and was the most threatening with the ball in short spells. Zimbabwe began the day on 30/2, still trailing by 270 runs. Williams led the fightback with an aggressive innings full of boundaries, while Ben Curran supported him with a slow and steady 37 off 104 balls. Williams brought up his fifty with a stylish straight drive but was later struck on the bottom forearm by Josh Tongue, drawing blood. He continued to bat bravely but eventually fell lbw for 88, just short of a century. Curran also showed determination but was eventually caught by Stokes. After his dismissal, Raza and Madhevere fought hard, taking on the spin attack and short deliveries. There were a few nervy moments, including a lucky deflection off Harry Brook's cap that saved Raza from a catch, and a close lbw call against Madhevere that went his way. Eventually, a brilliant catch from Brook ended Madhevere's innings. Stokes bowled a bouncer that found the edge, and Brook leapt high at second slip to take a stunning one-handed catch. After that, England wrapped up the innings quickly. Bashir dismissed Tafadzwa Tsiga with a ball that turned sharply through the bat-pad gap. Raza brought up his fifty soon after but was caught trying to attack Bashir. The young spinner finished with another five-wicket haul, ending Zimbabwe's resistance by trapping Tanaka Chivanga lbw. Zimbabwe's last man, Richard Ngarava, didn't bat in either innings due to a back injury. England will take confidence from this win, especially the performance of Bashir and the return of Stokes as a bowler. Zimbabwe, despite the loss, showed moments of promise and spirit, earning the respect and admiration of the Trent Bridge crowd.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bashir six-for as England crush Zimbabwe by an innings
Shoaib Bashir has picked up a career-best six wickets in the second innings as England beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs on day three of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge. After being reduced to 3-141 at lunch on Saturday, following Bashir's breakthrough for England in the first session, the touring side immediately lost batter Ben Curran when play resumed. Bashir struck with his second ball to dismiss Curran, who found Ben Stokes at short extra cover, falling for 37 off 104 balls. You're a wizard, Harry 🧙♂️ — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 24, 2025 Just when all-rounder Wesley Madhevere tried to stabilise the innings for Zimbabwe (31 runs off 36 balls), Harry Brook pulled off a stunning one-handed catch mid-air at slip off Stokes' bowling, leaving his captain stunned by the brilliance. From then on, wickets kept tumbling for Zimbabwe as Tafadzwa Tsiga (4) and Blessing Muzarabani (0) were removed cheaply while Bashir continued to wreak havoc with the ball. Bashir claimed his fifth wicket by dismissing all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who scored 60 runs off 68 balls. The 21-year-old then took his sixth wicket, removing Tanaka Chivanga who was trapped leg before. Earlier, Sean Williams had given Zimbabwe a fighting chance, scoring 88 off 82 deliveries, before the former Zimbabwe skipper was sent packing by Bashir. Williams, who scored his sixth Test half-century, was trapped lbw by Bashir.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Stokes and Bennett shine before Zimbabwe follow on
Only Test, Trent Bridge (day two of four)England 565-6 dec (Pope 171, Duckett 140, Crawley 124; Muzarabani 3-143)Zimbabwe 265 (Bennett 139; Bashir 3-62) & 30-2 (Williams 22*)Zimbabwe are 270 runs behindScorecard Ben Stokes hinted at a return to his best and Brian Bennett struck a sparkling century before England made Zimbabwe follow on on the second day of the one-off Test at Trent captain Stokes, playing for the first time since having surgery on his hamstring, took 2-11 in a captivating spell of only 3.2 Bennett delighted the dancing visiting fans in Nottingham with Zimbabwe's fastest Test hundred, from 97 balls. His 139 was the backbone of the tourists' 265 all Shoaib Bashir claimed 3-62 while Josh Tongue, in his first Test for two years, and Sam Cook, on debut, took a wicket a monstrous lead of 300 in the four-day Test and with Saturday's forecast looking mixed, England asked Zimbabwe to bat again, bowling for the second time to get 10 overs in before the could not repeat his heroics, trapped leg before by Gus Atkinson, while Craig Ervine lobbed Tongue to short leg to leave Zimbabwe 30-2, still 270 earlier declared on 565-6, pushing on from their overnight Pope added only two more on Friday morning before edging behind for 171, while Harry Brook made a 48-ball half-century, despite having only nine runs from 27 whipped three sixes into the leg side before being bowled to give Blessing Muzarabani a third wicket, at which point Stokes called his team in. Stokes and Bennett light up Trent Bridge England's gluttonous run-scoring on the opening day verged on tedium because of its one-sided the hosts' grip on the contest is just as tight at the end of the second day, Friday at least had elements of back-and-forth, some captivating cricket and an energetic atmosphere brought by the Zimbabwe blazed away in the first hour and his mantle was picked up by Bennett, the 21-year-old who had not been born the last time these two sides played a Test against each other. His joyful celebration on reaching three figures was a wonderful the home batters before him, Bennett's strokeplay showed the placid nature of the surface and there were times when England's bowlers were made to six months out, the sight of Stokes marking out his run sent a frisson of excitement around Trent Bridge. The captain did not disappoint, serving up 20 exhilarating deliveries that suggested he is back to full fitness and ready for the challenges of India and Australia that lie England decided to bat again it would have produced a dismal spectacle. Instead they already have two bonus wickets and can return refreshed on Saturday to push for victory with a day to spare. Stokes headlines England workout With 13 previous caps between them, Atkinson, Tongue and Cook form the most inexperienced specialist pace trio England have fielded in a home Test since Zimbabwe were last here in 2003. Still, that discounts Stokes, with more than 200 wickets to his or not the captain was intending to bowl, when he did he was England's best on show. With a spring in his approach, his pace was lively and Stokes extracted more movement than the other England often lost his line but at least had Ben Curran prod at one that nipped and bounced. Atkinson looked down on bite until he claimed two late wickets, while Tongue impressed in a fiery first spell and later bounced out seemed determined to give Bashir a long bowl. His three wickets were more than the two he previously managed this season. Bashir was four balls into the 13th over of a spell when he cut his finger trying to take a return catch, meaning Stokes had to summon first delivery was a no-ball, his second took Bennett's edge and was dropped by Joe Root at first slip. In the next over, Stokes had Sikandar Raza fend behind and, in the next, Wesley Madhevere chopped did not bowl after tea. He had already shown enough. Life of Brian After a demoralising day-and-a-bit with the ball, Zimbabwe could have imploded with the bat. That they battled was almost entirely down to Bennett, the swashbuckling opener who scored his maiden Test century against Afghanistan in a Boxing Day Test last had some fortune. Twice he edged Cook at catching height past the slips and also inside-edged past his own stumps. There was the Root drop off Stokes and, later, he fended Tongue to the swooping Pope at short leg off a Bennett was also rewarded for the conviction of his shot-making. There were some occasional T20 hacks, though they were outshone by some dreamy on-drives. Bennett added 65 with captain Ervine, who made 42, while Sean Williams and Tafadzwa Tsiga were the only others to pass he reached three figures with a cut off Atkinson, he became the third Zimbabwean to make a Test hundred against England and first since Murray Goodwin 25 years eventually fended to Pope off a legal Tongue short ball, signalling the fall of the final four wickets for 19 runs. The injured Richard Ngarava did not out to bat again, Bennett was pinned by Atkinson's nip-backer. In a shrewd move from Stokes, Pope had only just been posted at short leg when Ervine obliged with the simplest of catches.
