Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE captain Sikandar Raza felt chasing was easier on the Harare Sports Club track as the Chevrons fell to a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa and were knocked out of a tournament they are hosting.
The Proteas chased Zimbabwe’s score of 144-6 in 17.2 overs.
“At one point when Benny and Burl were going, 150-160 was a decent score. Can’t catch a breath, chasing is easier, but that’s no excuse, you need to keep working for ones and twos and that’s something we can learn,” said Raza.
“The dot ball percentage, it’s a key area – you need to stay in the present, bat on ball goes a long way and if we had got 165, you never know.
“I need to do better with both bat and ball, if I do well, it’ll give me plenty of confidence and that’s something we want to get better at. Batting in patches was better but we need to fix all those puzzles together.”
Zimbabwe will look back on the match as one that got away from them – first, they didn’t finish well in the last five overs and then couldn’t put pressure on the visiting batters, especially after taking two early wickets.
Rassie van der Dussen anchored the chase and let Rubin Hermann attack the spinners – some costly overs during the middle phase and there was no coming back for the hosts.
There were half-centuries for both batters with Hermann’s 36-ball 63 being the more aggressive effort.
Tinotenda Maposa took two early wickets, Richard Ngarava kept up the pressure from the other end, but the floodgates opened when spin was introduced.
Defeat means Zimbabwe are officially eliminated from a place in the final.
Another day and another chasing team emerged victorious.
That’s been the pattern of the tournament in matches against the hosts and Zimbabwe will feel slightly unlucky to have had batted first in all the three matches.
“Overall improvements, really chuffed with the bowling, both pacers and spinners – the last few overs were brilliant,” said van der Dussen, the South Africa captain.
“We lost two early wickets, pressure again (with the bat), but I think we did well. The outfield was slightly bumpy, can do better in the field, but no real complaints.
“I love playing here, the crowd is informed and that gives us a lot of energy in the field.” — Sports Reporter/Cricbuzz.
