Wenslus Murape
Brandon Moyo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TINOTENDA MAPOSA’S much-anticipated Zimbabwean debut finally arrived, and the 21-year-old cricketer did not disappoint.
After being called to the Chevrons squad on several occasions without playing, Maposa was handed his T20I cap by team captain Sikandar Raza ahead of Zimbabwe’s third T20I against Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo last Thursday.
The Bulawayo-born and -bred talent made an immediate impact, taking a wicket in just his fourth delivery.
He dismissed Pakistan’s Tayyab Tahir, who was caught behind for 21 runs off 14 balls, signalling his arrival on the international stage.
Maposa’s performance did not end with the ball.
With Zimbabwe needing 13 runs off seven balls in a tight chase, he showed nerves of steel, taking a crucial single to retain strike, then hitting a four and a six off the first two balls of the final over to secure a thrilling victory for Zimbabwe.
Maposa’s all-round contribution won the hearts of Zimbabwean cricket fans and drew high praise from coach Justin Sammons.
The coach commended the young player for demonstrating character under pressure, especially after Zimbabwe’s loss in the second T20I.
“We are chuffed for him,” said Sammons. “And for that wicket, you could see how much it meant to him. I think that’s one of the things that stands out, like, you could just see how much it actually meant to him.
“And then the way he went out there with the bat; it really speaks to his character and that’s what we asked from the guys following our loss in the second game.
“Win or lose, we want to see character and he showed that. He went at Jahandad (Khan) first ball. The first ball he is facing in international cricket and he’s running at it and that shows character.
“He knew what the situation required and he was trying to win the game for his team. So, for me, it was brilliant to see that.”
Though the Chevrons lost both the ODI and T20I series by identical 2-1 margins, the victory in the third T20I was a bright spot in what had been a challenging series.
In the ODI series, Zimbabwe won the first game by 80 runs (D/L method) before going on to lose the next two by 10 wickets and 99 runs.
The Chevrons were found wanting with the bat in the first two T20Is, as they suffered a 57-run loss in the first match and a 10-wicket defeat in the second.
The Zimbabwean team will now turn their attention to the upcoming series against Afghanistan, starting this Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.
The series will feature three T20Is followed by three ODIs, with the action then moving to Bulawayo for a historic two-match Test series beginning on December 26.
The Boxing Day Test will mark Zimbabwe’s first on home soil in 28 years, a milestone that promises to be a momentous occasion for local cricket fans.
The team will also host their inaugural New Year’s Test at Queens Sports Club, another historic first for Zimbabwean cricket.
As the Afghanistan series looms, Maposa’s debut has been a shining light, providing hope and excitement for the future of Zimbabwean cricket.
The Afghanistan team touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Thursday evening.
Online Reporter
