Zen Malik is hoping to build on a positive Vitality Blast debut, as he looks to inspire Warwickshire Bears to a first victory of the campaign against Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
The destructive right-handed bat earned his first start in T20 colours for the Bears in last Sunday’s game against Durham.
Despite Warwickshire losing by six-wickets in a game that went down to the final over, Malik helped to set a platform for the Bears to post 208 for seven from their 20 overs.
The 28-year-old opener hit three sixes and one four as he made 24 off ten balls, and said he enjoyed his first experience of Blast cricket.
“I’ve got a little taste for it now after the game against Northants, in front of the cameras on TV which was good fun,” he said. “Hopefully we can get on the board and get our first win now.
“It would’ve been nice to bat for a bit longer, but it was enjoyable to be out there and get a few away. It was good for my confidence and hopefully I can take a bit of momentum from that game into the Notts game.”
The Bears are looking to turn their fortunes around against a Notts team that picked up their first win of the season on Sunday, with a six-wicket win against Durham.
“We know that Notts are always a pretty strong side,” Malik added. “We know what they’re like.
“I think we’re ready to get a win on the board though. We’ve got that motivation to get that first win, and we’ll be ready for whatever they’ve got coming towards us.
“It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and we’ve got a busy few weeks coming up. For us it’ll be about being fresh mentally on Friday and going out there with no fear.”
Warwickshire Bears take on Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Friday 5 June, with play set to get under way at 6:30pm.