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Grace Chingoma

Senior Sports Reporter

CHEVRONS skipper, Sean Williams, says he rates Pakistan highly but believes his team can challenge the Asian heavyweights, in their three-match T20I series. 

The battle gets underway today at Harare Sports Club. 

The matches have been set for today, Friday and Sunday. Addressing a virtual press briefing yesterday, Williams said although the Asian giants deserved respect, the hosts had the ability to compete against them. 

Pakistan are coming in from a 2-1 ODI series victory, and 3-1 T20I series win over in South Africa. 

It was an impressive show by Pakistan and will start their tour of Zimbabwe as odds-on favourites. 

“Obviously, having Babar (Azam) leading them, and leading from the front with the bat, has been exceptional for them,’’ said Williams. 

“Their top orders got a lot of runs in South Africa, which was crucial for them in winning that series. 

“To beat South Africa, in South Africa, is no small feat, it’s a big thing, so I rate them very highly. 

“I think they are a very good side, I think they are playing fearless cricket at the moment. They have got a lot of experience in the side. 

“I think they are a good bunch of people, we always have good chats and good time with them as a team, so I think, they are really a good side that can go far.’’ 

Azam hit a superb T20 century in Centurion as the visitors beat South Africa. 

“I think we can stop him, I think we have got some guys here, that can stop him,’’ said Williams. 

“We have got some young players in this side, that play fearless cricket and I bet them to stop him, so I think he is stoppable. 

“Not only that, we are playing at home, so our pitches suit our ballers, I know he came here and scored a double, I think two doubles against us last time. 

“But, this is a new series, new players in our side, so let’s see how our guys go against him.’’ The skipper said the return of veterans, Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, into the fold, was a huge boost for the team. The two missed the previous series due to health issues. 

“It is huge for me to have those two back. You know, they have contributed a lot to Zimbabwe cricket in the past,’’ said Williams. “And, not only that but the leadership skills that they are bringing and experience that they have, coming into this T20 series for the team. 

“Not only for the team but for me, as well, on the field, Brendan, obviously, playing T20 tournaments around the world, so he is a huge senior. 

“Seeing Brendan back, at the top of the order, obviously, is going to be part of the plans and Craig also brings that cool, calm collectiveness into the side.” 

Williams, who was nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards for March, says the recognition, from around the world, has been a huge boost for him. He was nominated alongside Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India. 

This is the first time a Zimbabwean player has been short-listed in the monthly awards.