Zimbabwe defeat India by 10 runs to level T20I series

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe scored 145 for the loss of 7 wickets. In reply, India could manage only 135 for 9.

The opening pair of Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha scored 28 in the first wicket partnership. Masakadza (19) hit a boundary and a six before he stepped out to a Sandeep Sharma delivery which cost him his wicket, Sharma’s first in international cricket.

Chibhabha played sensibly to register a half century. He was bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he  departed after scoring 67 runs off 51 deliveries which included nine boundaries.

The Indian bowlers, for the most part had the game under their control until a late surge from Sean Williams (17) and Chibhabha send them to a dizzy.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma picked up 2 wickets each. Murali Vijay conceded just 9 off his 2 overs and was the most economical Indian bowler. Stuart Binny, Sandeep Sharma and Axar Patel bagged one each for them.

The Indians did not get off to a good start, losing Ajinkya Rahane early in a run out for just four runs. They were on their way to an early recovery as Robin Uthappa and Murali Vijay stitched a 53-runs partnership for the second wicket partnership.

Uthappa scored a brisk 42 off 25 balls. His innings was laden with 9 boundaries. Vijay departed for 13.

Debutante Sanju Samson scored 19 off 24 balls and managed to hit a boundary. The other batsmen tried but failed to do it for their team.

Graeme Cremer picked up 3 wickets for 18 runs in his four overs. One each was picked by Taurai Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu and Sean Williams. Three Indian batters were run out.

Chibhabha picked up the Man of the Match trophy for his knock of 67 runs.

This was Zimbabwe’s first T20I win over India.