T20I Tri-Series: Hamilton Masakadza Looking Forward to the Captaincy Role

Zimbabwe Cricket has named their new skipper in Hamilton Masakadza in the absence of their full-time captain Graeme Cremer.

Thus, the veteran Zimbabwean batsman is all set to lead his team in the upcoming T20I series. Zimbabwe will play their first match on Sunday against the number one team in the format, Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Masakadza is excited to be back at the helm for the Zimbabwe team. Zimbabwe pivotal players like Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine have boycotted the series, as they haven’t received their salaries from the Zimbabwe board. Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza is playing in the Global Canada T20 League.

Zimbabwe will have its work cut out against Pakistan and Australia.

“I’m very excited to be back at the helm and leading the team again. The key is just to try and focus on the job at hand now and go out there and do the job for the team,” Masakadza said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Meanwhile, Masakadza who opens the innings for Zimbabwe has a decent record. The right-hander has played 52 T20Is and has scored 1460 runs at an average of 29.20.

In fact, the experienced batsman had earlier led Zimbabwe in one Test, nine One-Dayers, and five T20Is.

Thus, he would like to make the most of his experience against two more powerful sides like Pakistan and Australia.

Masakadza added there is a lot of excitement in the team.

“There’s actually been a lot of excitement in the camp, with a few guys coming back that haven’t played for a while and a few new guys making their first strides. It’s upbeat in the camp.”

Meanwhile, Masakadza also appreciated Zimbabwe rookie coach, Lalchand Rajput. The Zimbabwe skipper added Rajput had given the confidence to the team.

“He’s a very positive guy, that’s the main thing that’s really stuck out, though we haven’t been with him for very long,” Masakadza said of the former India opening batsman. “He’s a positive individual and he’s encouraged the guys a lot and got us thinking positively, which is very important for us.”