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

David Houghton

Zimbabwe have surprised one and all with their performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

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.

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Zimbabwe coach David Houghton, 65, was disappointed after his team's loss against Bangladesh, but is hoping for a better display against heavyweights India. Zimbabwe face India in their final league encounter on Sunday in Melbourne.

Close defeat to Bangladesh

"I didn't expect us to go down to Bangladesh. We came so close. We should'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," said Houghton.

Houghton praised his opponents, but knows there are vulnerabilities his team can cash in on. "India are expected to reach the knockouts, even the final perhaps.

They are such a strong outfit. But their openers haven't given them the best of starts and we are going to capitalise on that front," added Houghton.

One of Zimbabwe's greatest players, Houghton's entry into the team as coach was as unplanned as it could get.

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‘Coach job offer came suddenly'

"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's coach. You can'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've got my citizenship back," said an animated Houghton.

"The country's economy has improved. A lot of tourists are coming here for cricket and wildlife. Peace has finally come back to Zimbabwe," Houghton
signed off.