IND VS ZIM: Ibrahim said before the match against India – We are comfortable despite being ‘underdog’

Colombo: Zimbabwe assistant coach Doyon Ibrahim says he is comfortable despite being labeled the underdog ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight match against India and his team has done all the right things in preparation. Ibrahim also said that it is important for his team not to panic on this occasion. Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to top Group B. In the Super Eight stage, Zimbabwe will face defending champions India, two-time champions West Indies and 2024 finalists South Africa.

Ibrahim said, “I think the ranking and every other parameter will tell us only Chuparustam, which is absolutely right.” I think when we came to the World Cup this year, we were definitely the ‘underdog’ in the group and that’s how we like to play.” He said, “I think Sikandar Raza had talked about this a few days ago that the advantage of being an ‘underdog’ is that we go into those matches or that particular match without any pressure because all the pressure is on the host team in India because they play in their own home conditions which they are familiar with. This is a format in which they are gradually improving and getting stronger.

However, Ibrahim said that when the Zimbabwe team faces India, it will have to avoid panic. “The biggest challenge for us will be to make sure that first of all we don’t get intimidated by the occasion and then we don’t get intimidated by the atmosphere with the crowd, especially when the Indian team is in form because they will,” he said.

He said that the team had fully prepared for this challenge. “In terms of preparation and planning, we will feel comfortable that we did all the right things for the game,” he said.