Zimbabwe stuns India to square the T20 series 1-1

Zimbabwe stuns India to square the T20 series 1-1: Host Zimbabwe stuns the young Indian team to register a 10 run win at the second T20 international in Harare. The match got tight in the end, but the hosts just about held their nerve to win their first encounter in 10 games at Harare Sports Club. With this victory, Zimbabwe leveled the two-match T20 series 1-1.

After a poor outing in the Bangladesh series Indian team lost to less ranked Zimbabwean team to register another humiliating defeat, this time in a T20 game.

Sikander Raza led Zimbabwe side posted a modest 145 for 7 in 20 overs. In reply Indian batters struggled to keep the momentum going while losing crucial wickets at regular juncture. Only Robin Uthappa and Stuart Binny showed resistance with the bat. But, Indian team failed to chase down the target as they fell short by 10 runs to end up at 135 for nine.

Chasing 146 for the win, India started off poorly while losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane(4)early. Robin Uthappa then formed a 53 run stand with opener Murali Vijay to take Indian scoreboard forward. Though Vijay couldn’t carry the momentum with leggie Greame Cremer disturbing his timber for 13.

After been 57-1, Indian faced a surprising collapse with four quick wickets in 18 balls to stand at 69 for five including that of Murali Vijay. With Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav getting out cheaply. Robin Uthappa looked solid for his 25 ball 42 but was undone by Sean Williams.

All-rounder Stuart Binny and debutant Sanju Samson then started the rescue work for the visitors. Binny looked fluent for his 24, though chipped off Cremer and end up hitting it straight to the mid-off fielder. Samson (19) too departed soon leaving India reeling at 117 for 7.

Axar Patel tried his bit but end up hitting one to Williams at mid wicket, and with that Indian hopes also goes down for a whitewash in the series. With 19 to get in last over, Bhuvneshwar and Mohit Sharma managed to get eight in that final over to end up on 135 for 9 in 20 overs.

Graeme Cremer was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps to his name. He was also economical. Prosper Utseya and Sean Williams too bowled well.

Earlier, Zimbabwe once again struggled against a disciplined bowling performance by India as the hosts were restricted to 145-7 in the second and final T20 international at Harare.

Opener Chamu Chibhabha struck a defiant 67 off 51 balls, including nine boundaries.Hamilton Masakadza and Sean Williams were the other notable contributors, with scoring 19 and 17 respectively.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma were the pick of the bowlers for India as both claimed two wickets each. Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel and Stuart Binny shared three wickets between themselves.

BRIEF SCORES:

Zimbabwe 145 for 7 in 20 overs (Chibhabha 67, H Masakadza 19, B Kumar 2-26) beat

India 135 for 9 in 20 overs (Robin Uthappa 42, Stuart Binny 24, G Cremer 3-18) by 10 runs.