Story Azza manages Zimbabwe :O [ICC 2005]

[Mr. Kurns]

good stuff u took my advice -.- go the saffas except against Australia

 

[Azza!]

After a few days of practice with the game, I will reincarnate my story and I believe I can go better with these minnows. I'll give them another couple of seasons and we'll see what happens.

Just wanting to know if you'll continue to read it if I continue to write it??

 

[Mr. Kurns]

yeah keep going ill def keep reading if u win but if u cant win i wont read
Tobie

 

[Azza!]

WORLD CUP 2007 IN WEST INDIES

Zimbabwe are grouped with the UAE, Pakistan and the host nation West Indies.
Manager note: - We've done pretty well as far as groupings go. UAE aren't a world class team, and the West Indies can be beaten for sure, even with their home advantage. I believe we're fighting for a spot with Pakistan in the Super 8's.

Pool D match 1:
Pakistan 8-218 (50ov) (Hameed 65 Mbangwa 3-33)
defeated
Zimbabwe 161 (39.3) (Ferreira 43 Saqlain 4-24)

Manager note: - Not a fantastic start with the bat, but I really have to commend our bowlers for a fine display. The only letdown was Ray Price conceding 7 an over, but that can be worked on. Partnerships are the key to big scores, and when your biggest partnership is a measly 37 you won't win games. That's what cost us the game today, however I believe the boys can take a lot of positives to build on.

Pool D match 2:
UAE 147 (45.3) lost to West Indies 3-148 (35.1)

Pool D match 3:
Pakistan 8-255 (50) defeated West Indies 188 (38.2)


Pool D match 4:
Zimbabwe 9-259 (50) (Ewing 79 Blignaut 52)
defeated
UAE 9-256 (50) (Aslam 83 Blignaut 4-61 Ewing 2-32)

Managers note: - A week break was well taken, as we travelled the Carribean on a cruise to relax and see the sights around the party islands. We were lucky to get away with this win. We were situated at 6-137 and I really thought our World Cup was over. Gavin Ewing and Andy Blignaut turned the game around with their bats and put us back in with a chance. UAE came out firing, reaching 200 before losing their 5th wicket, as Andy Blignaut and Ewing won the game for us with the ball. Stellar performances from them 2 and I think we owe them a drink or two.

Pool D match 5:
Pakistan 5-293 (50) defeated UAE 101 (24.2)


Pool D match 6:
West Indies 8-231 (50) (R. Hinds 70 Gayle 66 Mbangwa 3-34 Price 3-43)
defeated
Zimbabwe 187 (41.2) (Strydom 36 R. Hinds 3-26)

Managers note: - No big partnerships or big scores cost us a spot in the Super 8s. It came down to this match and despite giving ourselves a gettable target, we were defeated by Ryan Hinds - commendments to him for a well-deserved Man of the Match.

POOL D:
TEAM W L T NR Pts NRR
Pakistan 3 0 - - 6 +6.31
West Indies 2 1 - - 4 +0.81
-------------------------------------
Zimbabwe 1 2 - - 2 -1.94
UAE 0 3 - - 0 -5.17

WORLD CUP FINAL:
Sri Lanka 6-227 (50) (Atapattu 91 Rofe 3-46)
defeats
Australia 124 (31.4) (Martyn 48 Fernando 3-16 Samaraweera 3-25)

Sri Lanka are World Champions 2007

END OF TOUR
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Attached images: Douglas Hondo celebrates one of his wickets against Pakistan, the Zimbabwe contingent party outside the Antigua ground and Strydom ponders what could have been.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

UAE aren't a world class team,

:

 

[Azza!]

PAKISTAN'S TOUR OF ZIMBABWE: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007

- After some strong negotiations between the ZCB and the PCB, the Pakistan side are touring Zimbabwe for 2 tests and 3 ODI's. The PCB had first objected to the tour for safety concerns, but after an inquiry from the ICC and the threat of big fines and punishments, they accepted on the condition that they send safety officers. They have done that, and all games have been moved to Harare Sports Club.

Managers note: - With the home grounds where we perform better, I feel we can continue to build on our experiences. I'm not expecting any series wins, but I can feel an ODI win coming here.

Pakistan falls 8 runs short of a 7 wicket win against Matabeleland. The match is a draw. Younis Khan stars with 139no. Gavin Ewing and Mbangwa look quite impressive.

KANERIA TAKES 10 AS ZIMBABWE BOWLERS FAIL
1st Test:
Zimbabwe 277 (Strydom 87no Kaneria 6-64) and 266 (Kulinga 62 Kaneria 4-115)
lost to
Pakistan 507 (Umar 93 Youhana 90 Price 4-152 Ewing 3-154) and 1-37
by 9 wickets

Managers note: - We didn't perform much better than Matabeleland. There was a bit more consistency in the batting (6 partnerships of 50+) so it was looking a bit better. The fact is that we just don't have the skill to defeat the #3 nation in Tests according to the rankings. All we can do for these matches is just build on experience and confidence and I can feel a test win in the next 12 months.

BIN-NASIR AND PAKISTAN BRING ZIMBABWE DOWN TO EARTH
2nd Test:
Zimbabwe 198 (Marillier 67 Mushtaq 4-44) and 259 (Marillier 84 (Kaneria 5-99)
lost to
Pakistan 493 (bin-Nasir 177 Blignaut 4-126)
by an innings and 36 runs

Managers note: - A disappointing performance considering how we went in the first test. It was one of those games where the players that performed last game couldn't continue their form and a different sole figure steps up. Once we can get everyone to have their day we can win. Consistency really needs to be improved. I believe we can get a win in the ODI's.

Pakistan wins the series 2-0
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A SHAKY START TO AN UNCONVINCING PAKISTAN WIN
1st ODI:
Zimbabwe 202 (26.3) (Ewing 79no Kaneria 5-52 Hussain 4-43)
lost to
Pakistan 5-204 (47.4) (Haider 80 Wasti 65no Ewing 3-28)

Managers note: - Gavin Ewing, our sole consistent performer, played brilliantly today. I went out with the attitude of high aggression, as you can see from the 8+ run rate as we lost quick wickets. They won quite easily in the end, although they were off to a pretty poor start.

To be continued...

 

[gary0808]

Well done Azz on a great story

 

[Azza!]

Cheers for the support gary0808.. Keep reading - We could see a few wins possibly!



ZIMBABWE SCRAPE HOME FOR A RARE VICTORY
2nd ODI:
Pakistan 3-209 (50) (bin Nasir 65 Ewing 2-47)
lost to
Zimbabwe 8-211 (49) (Strydom 57 Rainsford 41no Saqlain 4-34)

Managers note: - Very pleased to scrape home for a win against the Pakis! This is a big reputation builder and hopefully gives us just a bit more respect in the media. Our bowlers and fielders were tight, made no mistakes and it helped our batting campaign, which folded quite slowly. I didn't see victory at 8-152 but Ray Price and Eddie Rainsford steered us home with an over to spare. Rainsford smashed his highest one day score with an unbeaten 41. Well done to the veteran Saqlain Mushtaq for almost taking the game away.

ZIMBABWE THRASH PAKISTAN TO TAKE THE SERIES
3rd ODI:
Zimbabwe 7-255 (50) (Vermeulen 108 Strydom 82 S Ahmed 3-39)
defeated
Pakistan 103 (24.2) (Taufeeq 27 Mbangwa 4-31)

Managers note: - Wow! I am completely speechless! Not only have we taken our first series in a year at least, not only have we won 2 games in a row for the first time since v Bangladesh, but we have taken the series in emphatic style! Mark Vermeulen and Strydom batted fantasticly, while Mbangwa and Ewing absolutely tore them apart on our Harare pitch to decapitate the Pakistanis. This was the game I had been anticipating for a long time. Everyone had contributed and had their day at the same time, and combined to bring it home. This was a fantastic series and one I shall remember for a long, long time.

Zimbabwe win the 3 game series 2-1

END OF TOUR

Attached Images: Danish Kaneria removes Maungwa, Taufeeq Umar plays one away, and Inzamam ponders how his side managed to lose a ODI series to Zimbabwe.

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[Hamish]

Well done! All the other teams are learning not to underestimate Zimbabwe now!

 

[Azza!]

I guess it was worth giving them another season as manager.. I feel refreshed and ready to keep building!

 

[gary0808]

Unbelievable win vs the might of Pakistan

 

[smssia0112]

I guess it was worth giving them another season as manager.. I feel refreshed and ready to keep building!

You'll be Number 1 some day, keep it going

 

[Azza!]

Hey guys, I wouldn't mind some feedback if you'd like!

Just pros, cons; suggestions, etc etc

Thanks!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Good you are continuing with Zimbabwe, I gave up on them after a couple of seasons. They just don't have any good young players!

 

[Left_Hander]

Good series win against Pakistan!