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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
TODAY is the day of reckoning for the Zimbabwe cricket team as the Chevrons go out in search of victory against United Arab Emirates in the final Super Sixes match that could secure them a place at next year’s ICC World Cup. Zimbabwe are eyeing the second and final qualifying slot after West Indies yesterday sealed their berth with a five-run win over Scotland in a close match decided through the Duckworth-Lewis method following a late afternoon downpour at Harare Sports Club.

The Chevrons, who suffered a four-wicket setback in their previous outing against the Windies, are hoping the rains will not intervene again today as they are leaving nothing to chance in this high-stakes game.
Heath Streak’s men have the control of their destiny in their hands but they would need to hold their nerve against the minnows who have nothing much to play for apart from being party spoilers.

They also need to pray that the freak thunderstorm that struck yesterday doesn’t spoil their party.
The forecast shows there willbe a few thunderstorms around the capital, more clouds than sunshine, a high of 27 degrees Celsius and a low of 16 degrees Celsius.

Humidity is around 57 percent and chances of precipitation are 70 percent with 6.6 mm of rain expected in the capital.
Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer and his teammates are fully aware that it is now or never.

Having fought so hard in the tournaments and losing only once to the Windies, the home team cannot afford to slip-up when it matters most.

After yesterday’s workout, Cremer said the Zimbabwe players have done their homework and the camp was particularly motivated by the high prospects of qualifying for the World Cup.

The leg spinner said they will approach the match against UAE the same way they would treat India or Australia.
“We had a minor slip-up against the West Indies but the spirits among the guys are good. Everyone in the team is really looking forward to come back.

“The boys are hungry for a win because we all know the importance of this match. Honestly we cannot afford to be complacent in this game.

“So we are going out there like we are playing India or Australia. If you look in this tournament there is no team that we have taken lightly. Even in the Group stages, Hong Kong and Nepal we treated them seriously. So this is no different.

“The good thing is we have to do it for ourselves without necessarily having to depend on the results from the other matches. Our focus is simply on winning this game,” said Cremer.
In essence, this is Zimbabwe’s biggest game of the qualifiers.

They need to win today to join the Windies on the flight to the World Cup in England and Wales next year.
The Calypso Kings booked their berth yesterday when they finished on eight points.
Zimbabwe have five points and could end on seven points.

But if they encounter an upset today, that would open the door for either Ireland or Afghanistan who play tomorrow in the last of the Super Six matches.
The two teams are tied on four points and one of them could end on six points.
Brendan Taylor carried Zimbabwe on his shoulders in the last match against Windies with a quality century that lifted the team to 289 runs in their 50 overs.

Unfortunately, the Zimbabweans could not defend a potentially match-winning total.
The former captain has been in fine form in this Qualifier where he is miles ahead on the run scorer’s charts.
The home team is hoping for more imposing performances by their experienced players like Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine who haven’t really made a mark in this tournament with the bat.
Zimbabwe are also praying for the fitness of opener Solomon Mire who was injured after the face of his helmet was struck by Kemar Roach’s bouncer in the last match.

“Solomon is still feeling a bit of pain but he is 100 percent sure he will be okay for the match. He is desperate to get onto the park and score some runs. But we will see what happens with him,” said Cremer.
Mire and fellow opener Cephas Zhuwao have been given the role to give Zimbabwe the flying start they need in their matches but it hasn’t really shown in the previous matches.

But playing in familiar home conditions, Zimbabwe are confident they could pull off the important win, rendering tomorrow’s clash between Ireland and Afghanistan a dead rubber.

They draw confidence in the fact that UAE have performed poorly in the Super Sixes. They are coming from a disappointing loss to Afghanistan in their last match which ensured they remained winless in elite stage.
Yet, their coach Dougie Brown was still hopeful of surprising Zimbabwe in front of their passionate supporters.

“We know it’s going to be a tremendous atmosphere, it’s a huge game, there is a lot riding on it, World Cup qualification for them and for other teams as well.
“We know that despite not being able to qualify for the World Cup we can have a major say on who does qualify and I think if we stick to our plans and do the best on Thursday (today) there is no reason to assume that we can’t get across the line.

“We have managed to do that into the Super Six stage and… we know that we can put on a strong performance against anyone,” said Brown.