<p>Zimbabwe have surprised one and all with their performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.</p>
<p>First, they qualified into the Super 12 stage for the first time, beating Ireland and Scotland convincingly in the first round. Then, in the Super 12, they defeated Pakistan in a nail-biting thriller. They also came very close against Bangladesh, falling short by just three runs.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/australia-is-virat-kohlis-theatre-of-dreams-23253901">Australia is Virat Kohli&rsquo;s theatre of dreams!</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/zimbabwe-cricket-back-to-life-after-t20-wc-dream-run-coach-23253565" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Zimbabwe</strong></a> coach David Houghton, 65, &nbsp;was disappointed after his team&rsquo;s loss against<strong> <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/india-beat-bangladesh-by-five-runs-in-t20-wc-23253509" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bangladesh</a>,</strong> but is hoping for a better display against heavyweights India. Zimbabwe face India in their final league encounter on Sunday in Melbourne.</p>
<h2>Close defeat to Bangladesh</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t expect us to go down to Bangladesh. We came so close. We should&rsquo;ve won it from there. But we are raring to go against India. We will create pressure on them from the very first ball of the match,&rdquo; said Houghton.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Houghton praised his opponents, but knows there are vulnerabilities his team can cash in on. &ldquo;India are expected to reach the knockouts, even the final perhaps.&nbsp;</p>
<p>They are such a strong outfit. But their openers haven&rsquo;t given them the best of starts and we are going to capitalise on that front,&rdquo; added Houghton.</p>
<p>One of Zimbabwe&rsquo;s greatest players, Houghton&rsquo;s entry into the team as coach was as unplanned as it could get.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/shadab-khan-shines-as-pak-bounce-back-23253713">Shadab Khan shines as Pak bounce back!</a></strong></p>
<h2>&lsquo;Coach job offer came suddenly&rsquo;</h2>
<p>&ldquo;I am 65 now and have settled in Derbyshire. Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Henry Olonga, Neil Johnson [former Zimbabwe stalwarts] have all settled in and around the UK. Suddenly I get a call to be Zimbabwe&rsquo;s coach. You can&rsquo;t refuse a call from home, can you? I had to pay 50USD for a visa to get into my own country, which the board [Zimbabwe Cricket] paid. Now, obviously I&rsquo;ve got my citizenship back,&rdquo; said an animated Houghton.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s economy has improved. A lot of tourists are coming here for cricket and wildlife. Peace has finally come back to Zimbabwe,&rdquo; Houghton&nbsp;<br />signed off.</p><p>
    <script async="async" data-cfasync="false" src="//pl23789885.revenuecpmgate.com/7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06/invoke.js"></script>
    <div id="container-7445444aea29efc3d061cbd866026c06"></div>
    </p>

First, they qualified into the Super 12 stage for the first time, beating Ireland and Scotland convincingly in the first round. Then, in the Super 12, they defeated Pakistan in a nail-biting thriller. They also came very close against Bangladesh, falling short by just three runs

We’ll put pressure on India from very first ball: Zimbabwe coach Houghton

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / We’ll put pressure on India from very first ball: Zimbabwe coach Houghton

We’ll put pressure on India from very first ball: Zimbabwe coach Houghton

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast