… As poor fielding costs Chevrons again

CATCHES win matches and Zimbabwe have learnt that the hard way once again as poor fielding saw them lose the third T20I against India by 23 runs at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The Chevrons dropped sitters while India took blinders such as the one Ravi Bishnoi held on to at backward point to dismiss Brain Bennet. The visitors now lead the five-match series 2-1.

Zimbabwe’s fielding yesterday left so much to be desired and they would only have themselves to blame for the defeat. India, courtesy of captain’s knock from Shubman Gill finished their innings on 182/4 before Dion Myers went on to score a gallant maiden T20I half-century for the Chevrons who were restricted to 159/6 in their 20 overs.

Apart from their dismal showing in the field, poor batting at the top made the chase even more difficult for the Sikandar Raza-captained side. Zimbabwe scored 60/5 in the first 10 overs and 99/1 in the last 10 overs in a situation where if they had shown intent earlier on, a different outcome would have been achieved at the end of play.

Just like in the previous encounter, Raza bemoaned his side’s dismal fielding. He said they are also trying to address the team’s poor batting at the top. Zimbabwe have tried out 15 different opening partners in the past year, the most in international cricket at the given period.
Raza was full of praise for Muzarabani who had another good outing with ball in hand.

“I think it is the fielding again. We are very proud of it but the wheels are coming off again. We gave away 20 runs extra. We still have problems at the top, but we are backing the boys. I know they are trying and once they do, we will come good again. We have tried 15 different partners in a year and a half. There is a lot of cricket going in the country.

“We are trying to do everything. It is time we players, including me, take the responsibility. I can accept some mistakes from the young side but the seniors need to step up. But we need to back them. Bennett is doing well at number three. This is the best we have and this is the best that we can do. We have to stop talking about Muzarabani because he has been fantastic. The game always rewards you, always does,” said Raza after the match.

Having won the toss and opting to bat first, India made three changes to the team that played in the previous match. Their World Cup winning trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson came in for B Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel. In the Chevrons camp, Richard Ngarava came in for Luke Jongwe while Tadiwanashe Marumani replaced Innocent Kaia.

The Indian skipper, Gill led from the front with the bat for the World Champions, scoring a well-batted 66 runs off 49 balls, his second T20I half-century while Ruturaj Gaikwad fell one run shy of making it back to back half centuries in this tour having scored 77 runs in the second match on Sunday. Gaikwad was removed by a good Wessly Madhevere catch on 49 runs off 28 balls, having been dropped the previous ball.
Raza, once again led from the front with the ball for the Chevrons, finishing with figures of 2/24 in his four over spell while Muzarabani also had a good spell.

The lanky fast bowler finished with figures of 2/25 in four overs as well.