Colombo, February 18 Zimbabwe assistant coach Dion Ebrahim said his team has prepared well and is comfortable being considered the underdogs ahead of their Super 8 clash against India, adding that the key will be to remain focused on the game.
Zimbabwe defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets to top Group B. They will face reigning champions India, two-time champions West Indies, and 2024 finalists South Africa in the Super 8.
"I think the rankings and other metrics will show us as the underdogs, which is perfectly fine. I think when we entered the World Cup this year, we were definitely the underdogs in the group, and that's a place we like to operate in," Ebrahim said.
"I think Sikandar touched on this a few days ago: the advantage of being the underdogs is that we go into those games with no real pressure, because all the pressure is on the Indian team, playing in familiar conditions, and in a format that they have gradually improved upon."
However, Ebrahim said that Zimbabwe would need to be careful not to be overwhelmed by the occasion when they face India.
"...the biggest challenge will be to ensure that we are not overwhelmed by the occasion, the crowds, and the atmosphere, especially when India take the lead because they will.
"They are likely to gain momentum, and the advantage of having won today's game will help us wrestle back momentum and win in front of a great Sri Lankan crowd."
He said that the team had prepared thoroughly for the challenge.
"In terms of preparation, and in terms of our plans, we are confident that we have ticked all the right boxes to approach the game in the best possible manner.
"We all know that T20 is a fickle format. It often comes down to one or two moments of brilliance. So we hope that we can continue to perform at the level that we know we are capable of, and that we have shown over the last three games."
