BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim is predicting the African side’s historic Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests against Afghanistan at home to be a full-bloodied contest between two teams with very little difference between them in this format.
Both matches will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the Boxing Day Test being the first in Zimbabwe in 28 years since a rain-affected match against England in Harare in 1996 was drawn. The second tie will be the Chevrons’ first New Year’s Test in their history.
Since Afghanistan gained Test status in 2017, the Asians have played against Zimbabwe twice in the five-day format, a two-match series in Abu Dhabi in 2021, drawing 1-1.
“I believe it will be like a street fight,” Ebrahim told SportsCast on Wednesday.
“Both teams will throw up some surprises and share momentum swings while trying to win a sequence of sessions. Our skill sets are different to theirs and we will play to a different tempo to theirs. It will be a good contest, and I believe if we can take early advantage we can win.”
Former Zimbabwe batsman Ebrahim lauded the idea of the 26 December clash, a hit in the major Test-playing nations.
“A Boxing Day Test match is what you dream about as a player and as a coach,” Ebrahim remarked.
“It’s novel, rare and has a completely different energy about it. This is history in the making and what an incredible and innovative move by ZC. I’m extremely motivated and passionate to see us get into winning positions with both bat and ball.”
44-year-old Ebrahim, who returned home to Zimbabwe this June to join the country’s new backroom staff after cutting his coaching teeth in New Zealand, isn’t new to coaching at this level. In June 2022, he was added onto New Zealand’s staff for a Test series in England.
Capped 29 times in Tests by Zimbabwe, Ebrahim believes the longest format remains the sport’s highpoint despite facing an uncertain future.
“Having played Test cricket for Zimbabwe and having been involved with the Black Caps’ Test team in the past, the acknowledgment that Test cricket is still the pinnacle of achievement and a complete test of body, mind and spirit is definitely there. Added to, every Test series is a privilege as the global future of Test cricket is not guaranteed.”
Ebrahim’s first Tests on Zimbabwe’s coaching staff being played in his hometown, Bulawayo, adds extra motivation and excitement.
“Absolutely, for a number of reasons,” he said.
“But it’s the current crop of players who should have the sentiments as they are the ones grinding away out there. My job is to keep advancing their skills. To be able to do that in Bulawayo – Skies – where I grew up watching cricket as a kid, then getting to play as a schoolboy, provincial representative and then as an international player, is very special. And the Bulawayo community love to support the national team.”
Ebrahim was appointed Zimbabwe’s assistant coach in June alongside new head coach, the South African Justin Sammons.
“We have adjusted well,” commented Ebrahim. “We all come with vast experience and knowledge and the last three months have been great to familiarise ourselves with the players, staff and the landscape the team has been operating in and can operate in. It’s been a relatively easy transition back personally, as there is familiarity in our players and an understanding of the journey.”
Afghanistan’s visit is an all-format tour, starting with the white-ball formats in Harare. There will be three T20Is between 9 and 12 December as well as three ODIs between 15 and 19 December at Harare Sports Club.
But before that, Pakistan would have also toured Zimbabwe in November for the same number of T20s and ODIs, all in Bulawayo.
“The white-ball series will be integral in our continual advancements and up-skilling towards the T20 World Cup and 50-over World Cup qualification and successes,” said Ebrahim.
“The ability to play all three formats in quick succession is a great challenge for players and coaches alike. It ensures we are developing robust and dynamic international players with transferable skills, players who can win across formats in differing conditions. It’s thrilling moving from format to format as the psyche, situational awareness and tactics have such a huge impact. From a coaching perspective, it’s important to ensure our messaging is simple, clear and action-orientated to ensure the players can quickly re-align and adapt to the new formats and strategies.”
