Zimbabwe: What a ripper!

Since Robert Mugabe became the boss of Zimbabwe, gradually the cricket of one of the most promising teams in the 90s and early 2000 took a big blow. Neither the cricketers nor the administrators were involved in creating a mess in Zimbabwean cricket, but Mugabe’s biased mindset to promote more black players halted the progression of Zimbabwe.

Cricketers even protested against Mugabe’s bizarre policy. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga expressed their anger against the politicisation of cricket and were ousted out of the country. Heath Streak was forced to resign from captaincy after he refused to listen to the politicians and promote black players.

Each day, the unnecessary interference of the politicians and lack of appropriate funding took Zimbabwean cricket to a don’t-know-zone and there came a moment when Zimbabwe decided to abandon Test cricket voluntarily. They returned to play Test cricket in 2011 and stunned the world by beating Bangladesh at home, but that victory ebbed away with strings of shambolic defeats.

How can a team advance without appropriate funding and facilities?

In 2013, Zimbabwean cricketers decided to boycott the Test series against Pakistan as the players were paid poorly. Somehow, the crisis was resolved and Zimbabwe went on to draw the Test series against a competent Pakistan unit whereas, just before the series, in April 2013, they again stunned Bangladesh by drawing the series.

But as usual, such successes did not do any good for Zimbabwe. They continue to hit the rock bottom while their financial crisis crippled them each day. There was a time when Zimbabwe Cricket Board could not afford to pay the players for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the team hotel or arrange for their transport facilities.

But passion is such a thing, it cannot stop anyone from achieving big things in life. Despite all these troubles, Zimbabwe’s passion for cricket and determination to do well, helped them to stay alive in world cricket. The series victory against Sri Lanka was a perfect example of how sheer determination can conquer adversity. Just before the start of the five-match One-day series against Sri Lanka, they were beaten by the associate nations and landed on Lankan soil with the tag of no-hoppers. But Solomon Mire’s heroics in the first match boosted the confidence of this team immensely and at the end of series, it was Zimbabwe who not only won the series but won the hearts as well.

The world cricket wants Zimbabwe to make a comeback and play like the days of Andy Flower, Grant Flower and Heath Streak. This wonderful victory should take Zimbabwe cricket forward and make the concerned officials and politicians act sensibly. Of course, they deserve more international matches against top sides to polish themselves.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar