Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chevrons made a bold statement ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier with a nine-wicket demolition job on Kenya at Harare Sports Club on Monday morning.
Asked to bowl first, Zimbabwe choked the life out of Kenya’s batting line-up, restricting them to a paltry 96/8 in 20 overs. The chase was a walk in the park, as the Chevrons cruised to 100/1 in just 12.2 overs.
Richard Ngarava struck early gold, removing Kenyan skipper Dhiren Gondaria for a two-ball duck in only the second delivery of the match. Bradley Evans then broke a budding partnership, dismissing Sachin Bhudia for 11 runs in the sixth over.
Tinotenda Maposa added to Kenya’s misery by trapping Pushkar Sharma lbw for 10 as wickets began to tumble like dominoes.
Evans finished as the star bowler with figures of 3/26, while Ngarava bagged 2/19. Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl chipped in with a wicket apiece.
With the bat, openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani got Zimbabwe off to a solid start, putting on 31 runs before Marumani fell for 14. Bennett looked in fine form with a brisk 33 off 25 balls before retiring hurt in the ninth over.
Veteran duo Sean Williams (21 off 13) and Brendan Taylor (20 off 21) calmly guided the team home to cap off a dominant display.
The Chevrons face Nigeria on Wednesday in their next warm-up match as they gear up for the big tournament.
