Aizaz Cheema reviews Pakistan Shaheens performance in Zimbabwe

Head coach of Pakistan Shaheens Aizaz Cheema reflected upon his side’s performance amid their busy Zimbabwe Tour where they played two four-day four-dayers and six 50-over matches from 3 to 27 May 2023.

Pakistan Shaheens put on a dominant show in the two-match four-day series as they blew Zimbabwe Select 2-0. Omair Bin Yousuf, Muhammad Huraira, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali and Mehran Mumtaz were the star performers for the visitors.

In the six-match One-Day series, however, Pakistan Shaheens coped with a tough assignment as Zimbabwe Select line-up consisted of the first-choice players representing the national side, as they viewed the limited-overs series as a chance to prepare themselves for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023, set to take place in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July.

Consequently, Zimbabwe Select managed to make the most of the experience of their first-choice players and home advantage and outclassed Pakistan Shaheens to take the series 4-2.

Despite a dismal show in the one-day series, Pakistan Shaheens’ head coach Aizaz Cheema lent his support to the young players, who stood out in the month-long Zimbabwe tour.

“I am extremely proud of the young players in the Pakistan Shaheens team who showcased their skills and potential during the tour. In the two four-dayers, players like Mehran Mumtaz, Omair Bin Yousuf, Mohammad Huraira, and Haseebullah displayed exceptional performances, contributing significantly to our victories. It was a great testament to their talent and dedication to the game,” said Aizaz Cheema in a press release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The former pacer, however, expressed his disappointment over the inability of Pakistan Shaheens to capitalise during the crucial moments and termed it a big factor behind the team’s defeat in the white-ball series.

“However, I am disappointed with our performance in the six-match 50-over series against Zimbabwe Select, where we lost 4-2. As a team, we couldn’t perform to our full potential and failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented to us. Had we seized those chances, the outcome could have been different. It was a missed opportunity, and we will work on rectifying our mistakes and improving our team cohesion.

Aizaz Cheema then went on to acknowledge the top performers for Pakistan Shaheens with Omair Bin Yousuf, Muhammad Huraira, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali and Mehran Mumtaz receiving the special mention from their head coach.

“I must acknowledge the impressive performance of our fast bowlers, who consistently picked up wickets during the 50-over series. Their contributions were instrumental in keeping us in the game and putting pressure on the opposition. In the batting department, Omair Bin Yousuf, Mubasir Khan, and Qasim Akram stood out with their run-scoring abilities, showcasing their potential for the future.

“We will analyse our performances, identify areas for improvement, and work tirelessly to strengthen our team’s performance. The Zimbabwe tour has provided valuable lessons and experiences for our young players, and we will use these as stepping stones towards future success. Pakistan Shaheens team is determined to bounce back stronger and continue to develop and groom talented players for the senior national side.”

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