Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2014

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by Donal C
The things is the Associates have all improved greatly since then.Ireland had very few professional players, Kenya were on their last legs and the Scots werent as good as they are now. You also have Afghanistan threatening now

Obviously from you guys point of view you should expect to win at least 90% of games vs Associates. That isnt as easy as it sounds though and it will require your team going out on the pitch with a winning attitude and self belief.

This is true to an extent. For the record, I'd be satisfied with at least an 80% record as things stand now. I think that would be a fair performance, although if you lose every 5th game to Associates random Indopaksters will pop up saying "Bangladesh gets dominated by Associates". Obviously, one should aim to win 100% of matches against teams ranked lower, but 90% would the ideal. But I think 80% would be a good start.

Since gaining Test status in 2000, we have a 20-6 record against all Associates in ODIs (see link). That is equivalent to 3.33-1, which is pretty closer to 4-1, that I have been advocating. Its actually a lot closer than I thought. So 5-1 should not be a bad ratio to have.

Since Zimbabwe's rebels walked off and ZIM joined us in the minnow ranks in 2004, we've gone 30-16 against them. Clearly this needs to be improved to 3-1 if we want to progress further.

[Roni_uk]

Is Afghanistan too good or ZImb just too bad. Afg are improving everyday. Very impressive... drawing the series after 2 down, its just amazing. Well done to them.

[Naimul_Hd]

This bunch of Afg players are quite good. However, I am doubtful about their next pipeline players. I hope Afg does not face the fate of Kenya.

[Mandela]

Originally Posted by Naimul_Hd
This bunch of Afg players are quite good. However, I am doubtful about their next pipeline players. I hope Afg does not face the fate of Kenya.

Maybe you should take a look at the team. This is the next pipeline!!

[Donal C]

Terrible showing from Zimbabwe. God help them when the Aussies and Saffers arrive.

Fair play to the Afghans. Didnt think they'd pull it off.

Such a shame to see Zim in such a state though. In 10 even 5 years I'd be surprised to still see them as a test side.

[Tigers_eye]

Tremendous achievement by the Afgans. Well done!! Hats of to you.
+++
Chingoka steps down as Zimbabwe Cricket chairman - Link
The article talks about recent financial controversies involving the cricket board and the national players' salaries as reasoning. I think it was the Afgan loss.

[horizon]

Last two times Bangladesh visited Zimbabwe, they lost (2-3 in 2011 and 1-2 in 2013, in 2011 series wins came in dead rubber). Last time Ireland visited Zimbabwe, they lost too (1-2), with a solitary win in a dead rubber. So even if Afghans couldn't win matches here, their efforts are commendable. To be honest, when Afghans started the series, I thought they are going to be blown away. It's a subcontinent team playing away from home ... but they turned things around quite quickly. They learnt faster than I thought they would.

[Roni_uk]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Tremendous achievement by the Afgans. Well done!! Hats of to you.
+++
Chingoka steps down as Zimbabwe Cricket chairman - Link
The article talks about recent financial controversies involving the cricket board and the national players' salaries as reasoning. I think it was the Afgan loss.

At least, Zimb has Financial controversies to blame on. What do we blame on? Orange Juice!

[brockley]

So does Afghanistan go past bangladesh and zimbabwe on the table?

[al-Sagar]

congratz afghans for squaring up the series ....

[al-Sagar]

Afghanistan 105

Zimbabwe A 41/5 (15.5 ov)

Zimbabwe A trail by 64 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Looks they are playing on a green minefield

[Donal C]

Originally Posted by al-Sagar
Afghanistan 105

Zimbabwe A 41/5 (15.5 ov)

Zimbabwe A trail by 64 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Looks they are playing on a green minefield

Both sides are fielding what are essentially second XI's and the pitch as you said seems to be a mess.

Somewhat surprising considering Zim have series to prepare for vs SA and Aus and Afg would want to press their multi day credentials vs a full member.

Can only assume this was agreed before hand and that both sides will field strong teams in the next game

[horizon]

Afghanistan 105 & 275/5 (80.0 ov)
Zimbabwe A 165
Afghanistan lead by 215 runs with 5 wickets remaining

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by brockley
So does Afghanistan go past bangladesh and zimbabwe on the table?

If beating a team would automatically vault them over the loser then we should have gone past Australia in 2005. Weren't they topping the table then?

We did beat South Africans once when they were topping the table. Were we the best team in the world then? According to your logic .....

Fans from superior teams should NOT troll.

[brockley]

No afghanistan was equal with ireland after 1 win,2 all with zimbabwe should see zimbabwe go down on points and afghanistan go up on points,just haven't seen the table thats all.Gather % wise afghanistan should be high on ratio with points wins to games played,anyway lets see what the table looks like updated.

[NoName]

Zim seems good at making sure they draw a series