Published: Jun 14, 2016, 02:43 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 14, 2016, 02:47 PM (IST)
It was heartbreaking for the Zimbabwean fans to see their side lose the second One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against India. It was not just a loss; in fact, the second string Indian side completely thrashed the home side. Zimbabwe have now lost 11 ODIs in a row against India.
During the second ODI at Harare Sports Club, not many people turned up as the match was being played on a working day. The dejected fans raised their voices and chanted with big banners with texts which read — “ZIM Cricket Players Should Be Arrested And Face TREASON!”. The Harare stadium has a place called ‘Castle Corner’ in the stand, which is mainly used by passionate fans of the nation who come together and former Zimbabwe Cricket Supporters Union more than a decade ago. Also Read: MS Dhoni gifts autographed bat to ex-CSK mate Makhaya Ntini
As reported by CricBuzz, The union was led by its chairman and many held banners and chanted emotional slogans in shona to convey their disappointment. The chant was so loud that the Indian batsman Karun Nair turned back at one stage to see what is happening.
Going by the chairman Louie’s words, it seems they were unhappy with the kind of game Zimbabwe were playing but were still supporting and said, “They’re not as good as they’re supposed to be, but still we support them. We are not worried about defeats, we just want them to be competitive.” Also Read: When KL Rahul’s parents told him cricket not for small town kids and he cited MS Dhoni’s example
The only thing to cheer for Zimbabwe fans was Vusi Sibanda’s half-century and a decent partnership between him and Sikandar Raza, which accounted for 67 runs. One of the fans in the stands said that he would have gone for work but still supported his side and at the same time another fan quipped sarcastically by adding, “Thank god, I am unemployed.”
The disappointment was not only among the fans but was also among the players, as they never expected their own spectator to revolt against them. Further, Sibanda added his comments over this incident and said, “You expect them to back you to the hilt. I do not want to be saying this, but I am almost tempted to ask some of them to come on and do my job. It’s not easy, given the circumstances in the country.” Also Read: KL Rahul, the first Indian to score a century on ODI debut
The Zimbabwe cricket team was once among the competent teams and often gave a tough fight to the big cricketing nations. They have been doing well in the recent times but in this series, they have failed to click as a unit and it will not be wrong to say that this is their worst phase. So frustrated was their coach Mahkaya Ntini that he said, “I almost hanged myself. If there was a tomato tree outside I would have hanged myself in that tomato tree.” Not long back, he wanted India to field a full strength side against them.
Let us hope, the African nation come back strong in the final ODI and in the T20I series that follows.
