Ireland will be a crunch game: Zimbabwe's Taylor

Hobart, March 6 (IANS) Zimbabwe’s stand-in skipper Brendan Taylor on Friday labelled Saturday’s World Cup Pool B match against Ireland at the Bludstone Arena as a make or break game for both sides.

After failing to grab a golden opportunity against Pakistan in the last match which they lost by 20 runs, Zimbabwe head into the contest needing a win. Then they have to cause an unlikely upset against India to have any chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

"It is a crunch game for us and it is for them as well. We need to win this and try and push for India as well but we are not looking too far ahead," Taylor was quoted as saying by news.com.au on Friday.

Taylor is standing in for injured skipper Elton Chigumbura, who strained his quadricep in the loss to Pakistan. Chigumbura is considered doubtful for the rest of the competition.

Taylor added Regis Chakabva will come in for Chigumbura.

"Unfortunately Elton misses out but everyone is excited and Regis Chakabva comes in for him. We are confident he can do just as good a job."

The 29-year-old also said pressure will be on both sides, but he is hopeful of playing competitive cricket.

"Every game there is pressure… you want to be competitive at the least. They will also feel the pressure, they also need to win this game," concluded Taylor.

After Saturday's game, Zimbabwe play India on March 14 in Auckland.