Zimbabwe’s most promising young cricketer Wesley Madhevere is unfazed by the fact that his team will be without their senior players for their upcoming bilateral series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting March 2 (Tuesday) in Abu Dhabi.
Zimbabwe is all set to play Afghanistan in a two-match Test series and three-match T20Is starting with the first Test on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi without their senior stars – Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara – all have been left out because of illness.
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However, Madhevere admitted that playing Afghanistan without their experienced players could be a disadvantage, but said it offers a perfect opportunity for young players like him to showcase their talent and grow on the international stage. The 20-year-old is likely to make his Test debut on Tuesday.
Madhevere told Reuters: “There are some senior players missing (and) it could be a disadvantage, but it presents an opportunity for the younger lads to learn and grow on the international stage. It's going to take a lot for the younger generation to make a statement ... (but) this is a perfect opportunity to better your game and showcase your talent.”
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The right-hander made his international debut in Bangladesh last year and went on to become the first Zimbabwean teenager to score a half-century in the ODI cricket since 2006. He was also impressive in the recent tour of Pakistan, where he cracked two brilliant fifties each in the ODI and T20I series.
The middle-order batsman said: “I know there's a lot of expectation just from what I've done in the shorter versions, but I'm going to use that as my motivation to keep on doing well.”
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan will be a threat for Zimbabwe in the upcoming series in the UAE but the young all-rounder said his team is able to tackle the challenges.
Madhevere signed off by saying, “He's probably one of the best leg-spinners in the world. We've all seen the impact he's had over a couple of years. If we just follow our process I feel we will be able to tackle the challenges.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
