Masakadza leads Zim to big win

Jeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
A 52-ball 93 from Hamilton Masakadza powered Zimbabwe to an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their second warm-up match of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong.
The victory comes as a morale booster after their embarrassing four-wicket defeat to Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe were more clinical on the field and restricted Afghanistan to 168-6.

This was thanks in a main to new bowling combinations.
“The new opening bowling combination of Prosper Utseya and Tafadzwa Kamungozi kept runs in check whilst Natsai Mushangwe tightened the middle overs and Tinashe Panyangara, as usual, was excellent in bowling at the death,” assistant coach, Stephen Mangongo, told The Herald.

“One of the things we mostly improved on today was the intensity and business-like fielding, it was topped by stunning running and guys putting their bodies on the line like when Elton Chigumbura ran wide strides to take a diving catch at mid-wicket.”

Masakadza made 93 in a 102-run partnership with Sikander Raza (27) for the first wicket which was broken by Raza’s departure after 10.3 overs.
Zimbabwe reached the target in 19.3 overs.

Afghanistan, started their innings in a steady manner, Najeeb Tarakai had partnerships of 34 and 37 with Mohammad Shahzad and Karim Sadiq for the first and second wickets respectively.

But two wickets in two deliveries when the score was 71 gave Zimbabwe a foot in the door.
Sadiq fell to Natsai Mushangwe for 16 and Williams sent Tarakai back for 29.

Afghanistan was soon reduced to 104-5 but Shafiqullah’s 31 and Samiullah Shenwari’s unbeaten 28 took it to a competitive total.
In Zimbabwe’s chase, after Raza’s departure, Masakadza and captain Brendan Taylor were out shortly afterwards but at 143-3, they were home and dry after 16.3 overs.

Sean Williams and Elton Chigumbura ensured there was no further scare with two runs required off four balls, Williams hit a six off Aftab Alam to take the team home.

Mangongo was delighted by the way his charges responded.
“This is what the doctor ordered. It was an efficient and clinical performance, once the stability was formed by the opening pair Hamilton Masakadza and Sikander Raza we knew we were right on track,” said Mangongo.

Zimbabwe will play Ireland on Monday, in their first match of the Group B qualifiers at the Sylhet Stadium.