ZIMBABWE DIARY

A large hotel compound with a number of hall-rooms mean one event after another at the Rainbow Towers in Harare.
Functions organised by governmental organisations are sometimes held though on Wednesday evening, music reverberated in every corner of the massive premises.
It turned out to be a Christian concert taking place inside the massive 4,000-seater conference hall with most seats being filled out and the crowd swinging to the chants.
Some 85% of Zimbabweans are Christian with most attending religious services regularly. As in other African countries, Christianity is mixed with enduring traditional beliefs and hence the local languge, Shona, being heavily used in the masses.
THE BOWLING ARM
If former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons had a “bowling arm”, he would never have injured his shoulder or sued Cricket Australia (CA).
The bowling arm, the device used for throw-downs to batsmen, is the latest addition to cricket team training. It is an extension of the throwing shoulder by which the person delivering the throwdowns hooks the ball at the top of the bowling arm and hurls it towards the batsmen.
It uses up less shoulder strength and if directed properly, offers swing, pace and bounce for the batsmen to tackle.
When the Tigers' computer analyst Nasir Ahmed uses the bowling arm, he also employs a fair bit of friendly banter too, just as a fast bowler with strong shoulders would.
TIGERS GO MUM
After the 130-run loss to Zimbabwe, the reaction in the media and among the public have had a negative impact on the Tigers.
But that was expected, especially after Tamim Iqbal's jibe at the two Zimbabwe bowlers also backfired.
Now the Tigers have decided not to talk to the media, except of course in official capacity, until the five-match one-day series is over.
It may seem like an uptight attitude but with so much happening around the national team, a bit of solitude would definitely help.
SLUGGER?
Chris Mpofu usually flashes a smile when he crosses any known face but the tall paceman never has time to explain why he's nicknamed Bobby.
Even more intriguing is Craig Ervine's nickname in the cricketing circle -- Slugger.
Keegan Meth is aptly known as Crystal or Mad Meth by his teammates for his mischievous ways while the captain is simply called BT.