zimcricketnews.com

CricInfo's Osman Samiuddin takes a constructive look at Zimbabwe's failings against Pakistan, bearing in mind the side's stated intention to resume playing Test cricket at some point, and picks up on a number of points that I'm sure forum readers will recognise...

"...even with lowered expectations, they would have left unhappy: injuries, ailing opening partnerships, an ineffective and shallow bowling line-up and the failure, and reluctance, to learn from mistakes making for a glum show."

That sounds about right. The injuries we couldn't really do much about - these things happen - but with Utseya one of the key players in Zim's one-day gameplan, it couldn't have happened to a worse member of the side. Mupariwa's injury, just as he hit form, also didn't help. But other failings were the fault of the side:

The problems began at the top, with their openers unable to lay a decent foundation. Brendan Taylor (139 runs), Tatenda Taibu (161 runs) and Sean Williams (192 runs) were left with too much to do, though they obliged responsibly. This was Zimbabwe's biggest positive, as formidable partnerships were regularly formed against more than adequate bowling.

Credit were credit is due - and criticism rightly for the top order. Brendan Taylor back to opening, perhaps, and a place lower in the order for Masakadza, which seems to be more his natural position. Vusi Sibanda's form was also disappointing for someone with so much recognised potential.

The real problems were with the ball, however. Christopher Mpofu was ineffective and though Gary Brent slaved away without reward and Tawanda Mupariwa sparkled in his only outing, they were desperately short of a quick, quality bowler; too many were similarly medium-paced. Ray Price only managing 5 for 220 off his 50 overs didn't help either. The fielding remained enthusiastic, often effective though they continued to drop vital chances.

I'm wondering if it may be worth giving Trevor Garwe a shot in the national side - he's been impressive for Zimbabwe Provinces in the SAA Provincials, and is one of the quicker Zimbabwean bowlers. Either way, another specialist bowler in the side surely couldn't hurt.

Above all, however, it was Zimbabwe's failure to capitalise on good positions that stood out. Robin Brown, Zimbabwe's coach, spoke of his side lacking a killer instinct through the series. It showed; Pakistan were reeling at 78 for 5 in Multan but went on to score 272 and from 155 for 3 in reply, Zimbabwe could only manage 80 in the last 14 overs. In Hyderabad, Zimbabwe were on for a big total, but from a healthy 156 for 2 in 32 overs, they reached only a disappointing 238. They then dropped four vital catches. Their resistance faltered as the series progressed and by Sheikhupura, when they were all out for 181, heads had dropped.

And that's the biggest disappointment of the series so far. Zimbabwe could have come away 3-2 series winners, if they had taken their chances, even with a side lacking some skills and missing key players through injury - and Pakistan are no walkovers. There's a positive to be taken there - the side have shown that that potential is there, they just need to begin believing it themselves. You would have thought the wins over Australia and West Indies would have at least given them some confidence, but apparently not.

Hamilton Masakadza's reminder that his side wasn't "outplayed" and was "in a position to win at least three matches" was half true. [...] But much re-grouping and re-assessing is still required before their series against India, for based on this performance, Zimbabwe lack the strength to re-enter [the Test] world. Much the same can be said of Pakistan's impending challenge against Australia.

Full article linked below - worth a read.
CricInfo - Zimbabwe fail the fitness Test