By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said his side must start winning finals rather than simply reaching them after Afghanistan beat them by seven wickets in the ODI tri-series final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Zimbabwe reached the final by beating Bangladesh but lost their matches against Afghanistan.
Raza top-scored with 68 off 83 balls in the final as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 in 43,3 overs, and Afghanistan easily chased the target in 34.3 overs.
“As much as you congratulate us for making the final, that’s not how we want to play a final,” Raza said at the post-match presentation.
“This business of us making finals needs to stop.
“We addressed it in the changing room: once we get to the final, we have to win it. We have to win the trophy. Zimbabwe needs to change. We have made plenty of finals and just existed.”
Raza said the team’s batting starts had been the biggest disappointment of the tour, citing scores of 26 for 3 twice against Afghanistan and 24 for three in the series opener against Bangladesh.
He also said the team had little time to adjust to the conditions, arriving two days before the first game, and called the heat and humidity “alien” to the squad.
He said he would raise the issue with Zimbabwe Cricket.
“Hopefully, when we come to the subcontinent, they can send us early so that we can get used to these conditions,” he said.
Zimbabwe also play Afghanistan in a three match T20 series and two Test matches on the tour. Raza said both should be more competitive if the squad is fit, with about 10 days to acclimatise.
“I’m very hopeful that the T20 series and the Test match will be better contests,” he said. He added that three or four players had been injured during the ODI series.
