Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE got their three-match T20I series against Namibia off to a flying start with a comfortable 34 runs win at Queens Sports Club on Monday.
The Chevrons, sent in to bat first posted a commanding 211/3 courtesy of centuries from Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani. They then restricted the visitors to 178/7 to take a 1-0 lead.
Bennett and Marumani had a 124 runs opening wicket partnership, the second highest for Zimbabwe for the first wicket in the format. It was broken in the 15th over when Marumani was caught for 62 runs off 48 balls, his fifth T20I half century and second in two matches.
The wicket brought Ryan Burl into the middle and the all rounder had a quick-fire innings, scoring 22 runs off just nine deliveries. He was caught in the 17th over with the score now 1652.
Bennett was the last to fall, caught for 94 runs off 51 balls, just six runs short of a well batted century.
Sikandar Raza saw the team through with an unbeaten 23 runs off 11 deliveries. Tashinga Musekiwa scored a single run, having only faced one delivery.
Alexander Busing-Volschenk finished with figures of 2/43 in four overs.
Zimbabwe struck early in their defense with Blessing Muzarabani getting Malan Kruger for 13 runs off as many deliveries. There was a 56 runs second wicket partnership between Jan Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton before the former was trapped in front by Raza for 21 runs off 13 balls.
From there, wickets started tumbling for Namibia.
Muzarabani and Raza finished with two wickets each while Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, and Bradle Evans picked up one scalp apiece.
Loftie-Eaton top scored for Namibia with 38 runs off 24 balls while Zane Green made 33 runs from 27 deliveries.
