Zimbabwe's captain has demanded more commitment from his batsmen who have failed to cross the 100-run mark three times during the past year. The team was bundled out for 85 in its first limited-overs qualifier for the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday.
Zimbabwe began the qualifying event with a nine-wicket defeat against the West Indies. It was the dismal batting performance that hastened Zimbabwe's defeat before the match's halfway stage.
``The batsmen didn't apply themselves, it was a combination of poor shot selection and an inclination to play too many strokes early in the innings,'' said Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya, calling on the batsmen to apply themselves more in the next game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs Saturday in the round-robin qualifying competition from which the top two teams will advance to the main round of the ICC Champions Trophy beginning Oct. 17.
The 21-year-old Utseya, who became Zimbabwe's captain before even completing two years of international cricket, is leading a young Zimbabwe side as the country's cricket board seeks to rebuild the squad.
Utseya led Zimbabwe with 27 in the match against West Indies.
Zimbabwe's international cricket ranking has slumped during the past few years since a confrontation between its cricket board and top players that saw an exodus of several established stars.
The match against the West Indies marked the eighth time when Zimbabwe was bowled out for less than 100 since appearing on the international scenario in 1983 _ and three of these sub-100 totals have come during the past season.
In recent times, Zimbabwe has become international cricket's favorite whipping team, but this year it rebounded with a 3-2 limited-overs series triumph against Bangladesh.
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Pakistan's coach Woolmer says flexibility key factor in international cricket
NEW DELHI (AP) _ Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer finds flexibility a key factor as frequent tours have taken away the surprise element from international cricket, according to a report Monday.
With teams playing each other more often than ever before, captains have come to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and tend to rely on players who can adapt and perform multiple roles, Press Trust of India quoted Woolmer in an interview.
``It is important to have flexibility in the side,'' Woolmer said.
He also said shuffling of the batting order was the way to stay ahead of the rivals in the game.
``In an ideal world, it would be good if batsmen know their exact batting positions. But modern one-day cricket demands flexibility and one has to live with different roles,'' said Woolmer, who had coached South Africa in the 1990s.
``International cricketers are expected to adapt to different conditions. Flexibility is required for all the 11 positions in the side.''
The Pakistani team arrived in India over the weekend to play in the biennial Champions Trophy cricket without its regular captain Inzamam-ul Haq.
Inzamam-ul Haq is serving a four-match ban on charges of bringing the game into disrepute during a test against England at The Oval in August.
World champion Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, England and host India made the grade. Two former world champions _ West Indies and Sri Lanka _ beat Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the qualifying event over the weekend.
