Zimbabwe not scared of Shoaib Akhtar: Utseya
Bureau Report

KARACHI—Young Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya said his team was not scared of express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the upcoming five match one-day international series against Pakistan starting from January 21.
“Our players have played against him in the past and we are ready to face him in the series,” 22-year-old Utseya told newsmen on his team’s arrival press conference alongwith coach Robin Brown, manager Givenmore Makoni and media manager Lovemore Banda.
Dubbed as Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar has already made his availability for the series. “We have been playing good cricket in the past few months and looking to play positive cricket here,” off-break bowler said.
Utseya said they are fully aware that they are up against a top team but are ready for task ahead. Responding to question about host aiming to make the clean sweepof five match series, he said Zimbabwe coach Robin Brown said they working hard for the revival of their test status which ICC stripped after poor performances by them.
“We are hoping to good performances in the four-day game in bid to get back to Test cricket,” lanky coach said. “Its bit hard but we working hard for this,” he added.
Robin Brown said his team was not an experience team but they are talented bunch of player eager to do well on the tour. “We got experienced player Taibu, Taylor and Williams and more we play better we get to reach the position his team was in when senior players were there,” he maintained. To a question regarding safety of his team, manager Makoni said “PCB has given us guarantee of safety security. We have only concentrate to do well on the tour,” he stressed.
23-member Zimbabwean cricket squad arrived here Saturday afternoon from Harare on a three week trip to Pakistan. Team at the airport was received by PCB Director Operation International Zakir Khan and other officials.
Team from the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport was taken to the hotel by an escort comprising officials of security agencies. During their stay in Pakistan, Zimbabwe team will play five One-day Internationals against Pakistan besides featuring in a four-day game against PCB Patrons XI starting at newly raised Defence Stadium from Monday.
22-year-old off-break bowler Proper Utseya is leading the team. Head of Zimbabwe Cricket, Peter F.Chingkoka also arrived with the team and straight went to National Stadium to have a meeting with Chairman PCB Dr.Nasim Ashraf. Zimbabwe squad is: Vusimsui Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadaza, Justice Chibhabha, Tetenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyri, Keith Dabengwa, Elton Chigmbura, Proper Utseya (Captain), Gray Brent, Ray Price, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Sean Williams and Timycen Maruma.
Robin Brown (coach), Walters Chawguta (assistant coach), Given more Makoni, Amato Machikicho (Physio), Anesu Kafesu (Analyst) Lorraine Chivandire (Fitness trainer), Lovemore Banda (Media Manager) and Vumindaba Moyo (Selector on tour). Zimbabwe cricketers will have the first feel of the local condition as they undergo their first training and net session at Defence Stadium on Sunday in their build-up for the 4-day game against PCB XI starting from Monday. According to detail provided by the PCB their training start under chief coach Robin Brown at 10.00 A.M.—Agencies