11 Facts about Vusi Sibanda- A stylish playmaker

11 Facts about Vusi Sibanda- A stylish playmaker: Vusi Sibanda is a right-handed opening batsman for Zimbabwe. He is known for his solid technique, Sibanda has been a prolific scorer in the domestic circuit. Sibanda’s match winning performances helped him cement his place in the national line-up. Today, on his 32^nd birthday, we wish Sibanda a good time. Let’s check out some of the interesting facts about this opening batsman.

1. Highfields Hero:

Vusimuzi Sibanda was born on 10^th October 1983, Highfields, Harare.

2. Major caps:

He played for Zimbabwe, Africa XI, Mid West Rhinos, Zimbabwe A, Zimbabwe Cricket Academy, Zimbabwe XI.

3. Solid Technique:

Sibanda is well known for his solid technique. He was little inconsistent early on, but his shot-making capabilities makes him a vital cog in the national line-up.

4. Early call up:

Sibanda made his Test debut vs West Indies at Harare, 2003-2004. Sibanda played 14 Test matches for Zimbabwe, scoring 591 runs with a best of 93.

5. Colored burst:

Sibanda made his ODI debut against West Indies at Bulawayo, 2003-2004. He scored a gritty 58 on debut. He played 124 ODI games for Zimbabwe, scoring 2898 runs.

6. Early blow:

In May 2005, his place in the national team came under threat by the imminent return of the ‘rebel’ Zimbabwean cricketers who walked out on the team in a dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket. The return was unsuccessful and Sibanda again became a regular at the top of the order for Zimbabwe.

7. Ton up:

Vusi Sibanda scored a match winning 116 against Bermuda in the year 2006.

8. Comeback tale:

He made a return to international cricket (although he denied ever retiring) for the Africa XI in the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup. He played in 2 of the 3 ODIs, scoring 80 runs at an average of 40.00. Although Sibanda wasn’t playing initially in the 2011 Cricket World Cup an injury to Sean Williams meant a call-up for him. He scored 61 off 57 balls in an innings that included 7 fours. His knock helped Zimbabwe reached 308/6.

9. Golden arm:

His best ODI bowling figures of 1 for 12 came against England, Birmingham, ICC Champions Trophy 2004.

10. Efforts in winning cause:

Sibanda scored two centuries (116, 103*) in international cricket against Bermuda and Bangladesh respectively. Zimbabwe won the match on both occasions.

11. Match winner:

Vusi Sibanda was awarded the Man of the Series award for his heroics against Bangladesh in the year 2013. He had scored 152 runs in 3 matches and grabbed 2 vital catches.