Game-On Reporter
Lady Chevrons interim coach Kate Ebrahim insists the true value of Zimbabwe’s grueling tour of Pakistan will only become clear in the next year or two, downplaying a brutal six-match whitewash as a necessary building block for her young squad.
Zimbabwe’s women’s cricket team returned home without a single victory, suffering 3–0 series defeats in both the One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20Is.
Despite the heavy losses, Ebrahim is focusing on the long-term development of the team.
“It has definitely been a tough tour.
“But the exciting part is, let’s see where they are in 12 to 24 months,” said Ebrahim.
The Lady Chevrons were outclassed by the hosts. Zimbabwe’s bowlers conceded 300-plus totals, while the batters collapsed for just 84 runs while chasing 238 in the first T20I, before wrapping up the tour with a 133-run loss in the final match.
Ebrahim refused to frame the tour as a failure, treating the harsh lessons as a crucial testing ground for an emerging group of players.
“We brought a young and inexperienced side, young in age as well. It would have been foolish to think we would come here and sweep the series.
“The girls gave their all in every game,” she said.
The head coach openly acknowledged the technical deficiencies that the Pakistan side exposed, particularly regarding how her team handles slow bowling.
“Our batters’ technical and tactical understanding of how to play spin isn’t there at the moment. That’s another exciting challenge, can they improve their spin game quickly?”
She is optimistic about the incremental changes she witnessed on the field.
“I have seen glimpses of improvement in every game.
“The selectors and officials want to grow the depth. Currently, the pool of women’s players in Zimbabwe isn’t very large,” she said. “But we have a phenomenal group of women back home eager to play cricket.”
The Lady Chevrons have very little time to close the competitive gap, with a crucial World Cup qualifier cycle looming and a high-profile tour to India scheduled for October.
Nevertheless, Ebrahim remains confident that the groundwork for future success is successfully being laid.
“Their progress has been steady. It’s a lot for them to take in, but that’s the exciting part.”
