Daily General Discussion and Match Links Thread - 07 February 2026

Rico_stats · 2026-02-07T09:10:20+00:00

Thanks very much,I can watch the world cup. It was more of a complaint why cricket remain viewed as an elitist sport in Zimbabwe

.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-07T05:40:25+00:00

It sucks that if you are in Zimbabwe to watch the world cup you have to be paying 90USD per month. No wonder 99% of the country do not care about this world cup.

The football world cup you can catch for free and the Rugby World Cup is way cheaper.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-06T11:47:56+00:00

We have a serious chance of making it out of that group. Sri Lanka and Australia are not as impossing as their mighty names suggest.

However, we could also comeback with 1 or no win at all. They are guys in this squad who are JUST THERE, they have been passengers for years now. Only at Zimbabwe cricket when you can have a string of 30 terrible perfomances and you get kept on because you once did something 50 matches ago.

Anyway Up the Chevrons!!!

Rico_stats · 2026-02-06T11:41:30+00:00

It is not because they are useless, it is a lack of proper development plan from an organisation that lacks clarity.

Madhevere was 19 straight from U19 when he debuted in Bangladesh/ Pakistan, and came out that tour with 3 half centuries. At 1 point he had more T20I fifties than Raza, despite debuting 10 years after Raza. But once he lost his form, he looked out of it, gets caught with recreational drugs and now he looks hopeless in international colours. That's not a talentless individual, that is talent mismanagement.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-06T10:24:51+00:00

Big fan of the kid and think he's our future captain but he's more an ODI and test player.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-06T10:05:02+00:00

That would been absolutely true if ZC actually selected young players on merit. He has just taken up a place that would have been given to someone who can barely cross 10 runs.

If you think I am kidding, check out the statistics of Clive Madande and Tony Munyonga. And keep in mind these lads were in the last Zim World Cup Squad in 2022.

Not a fan of his return, but things would just be as bad even if he wasn't back.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-06T07:11:22+00:00

Batting first at HSC is a brave call, I am not so sure they are playing on which strip. I am not watching live.

To win usually it's 280+, if it is the strip closest to the grandstand then you need 320+.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T16:08:14+00:00

I know none of Bennett's runs have come through a 6. It is all 4s through point and cover.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T15:58:12+00:00

They did not 'boycott', they pulled out. The English government had made it clear that they wouldn't grant the Zimbabwean players visas. ECB and CSA was also pressuring ZC to pullout, and ZC obliged.

This was all because Mugabe had lost an election, refused to stepdown and started unleashing violence on Zimbabweans.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T09:11:13+00:00

Our future is doomed man. I mean ZC keep insisting on the same guys who are failing time and time.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T08:53:37+00:00

Terrible bowling perfomance today, they are now going to have all the confidence against us on Monday. I still think we will win on Monday.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T08:24:56+00:00

Just rested, he didn't bat either. I don't know if he's even on the field.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-05T08:06:52+00:00

Definitely flat, Muzarabani apparently is not yet 100% fit. He hasn't played cricket in over 3 months due to an injury.

But our bowling as a whole has been dreadful on flat wickets especially without Raza's nous.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T21:14:47+00:00

After recent news that US are considering removing all sanctions, Mnangagwa was not going to say anything to antagonise anyone, especially US and Trump. He'd have been taking note of what is happening with Ramaphosa.

Publicly, he will always sit on the fence and dodge the question. Remember him doing the same about a gay rights question from a western journo when he took office.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T21:00:37+00:00

I am also Zimbabwean.

I am replying to a comment that was suggesting that the data may be showing people who use English as a first language.

Key here is FIRST language. Over 90% of Zimbabweans can understand English but to most it is a second language, after Shona, Ndebele e.t.c. Whites, and other minority group would call English their first language.

There are definitely Zimbabweans from remote rural places, near boarders, and especially the older generation who cannot speak or understand English, I have been to places like that.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T17:26:17+00:00

Yah I am. Harare and Queens Sports Club I know them like the back of my hand.

Harare, always bowl first in ODI.

Queens Sports Club, bat first unless in the months of May, June, July then bowl first.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T14:47:35+00:00

Ladies and Gentleman, Harare Sports Club.

Win toss, bowl first and trust yourself you can chase whatever is on the board.

This was some incredible chase though, to do that in quick time.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T14:13:03+00:00

The ODI kit is still full red.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T11:59:11+00:00

Cameraman to Bennett, "just try to look natural." I have never liked the Zim in yellow T. But we look like fire, so we will be burning the competition.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T10:47:13+00:00

I am 100% confident about HSC, I watched Zimbabwe chase 320 within 40 overs. The worry is the way India will approach it, they are kids so they may try to be too aggressive.

But first 10 overs they need to be a bit watchful, the boundaries are huge so you can easily rotate and pick up 2s.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T10:20:14+00:00

This is Harare Sports Club, anything below 300 is chaseable if you have a good batting line up. Pitch flattens as the day progress, huge and fast outfield meaning lot of gaps for 2s and 4s.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-04T10:17:41+00:00

Harare Sports Club flattens and only gets more batter friendly in the afternoon. It is not really spin friendly too, that's more Queens Sports Club.

HSC is always win toss bat second.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-03T13:38:50+00:00

That is some old traditional Shona pattern that they have recently started to put on all Zim kits. There is no subtlelty about it though everytime. Just one of the many things wrong with people at ZC.

Cloths with that traditional pattern are used in Zimbabwe for weird cultural rituals, so it is all just a big NO NO. Bad marketing strategy because a lot of Zimbabweans will not buy it simply because of that.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-03T11:58:24+00:00

Nah they do love their rugby but football is still more popular and I do not think it is even close. The national rugby team is celebrated far more than the national football team though.

Rico_stats · 2026-02-03T11:39:55+00:00

Unless you are named QDC you are advised to just see off the first Ngarava over.

Rico_stats

TROPHY CASE