Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SIKANDAR Raza’s unbeaten half century and Richard Ngarava’s milestone moment weren’t enough to save Zimbabwe from a five wicket defeat to South Africa in the opening match of the T20I Tri-Series at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
It was a match that saw glimpses of brilliance from the Chevrons, but lapses in the middle overs and a modest total with the bat proved costly as South Africa chased down 142 with 26 balls to spare.
“In the middle, we got a little stuck. Credit to Linde, his three overs suddenly changed the game. If that was a little different, we might have had 150-160,” Raza said after the match. “We were not sure about the wicket, we now know these are not going to be high scoring games. We lost wickets at the wrong time and that put the brakes on our innings.”
Raza, who anchored Zimbabwe’s innings with 54 not out off 38 balls (three fours, two sixes), brought up his 15th T20I half century, guiding the side to 141/6 after being sent in to bat first. But the total never looked enough.
Zimbabwe’s innings had an odd start, losing their first wicket in bizarre fashion. Wessly Madhevere was out hit wicket after stepping on his stumps for just one run from nine balls, leaving the hosts 8/1 in the third over.
Brian Bennett and Clive Madande tried to stabilise things with a 31 run stand before Madande was bowled for 8. Bennett followed shortly after, caught for a promising 30 off 28.
A 66-run fourth-wicket partnership between Raza and Ryan Burl offered hope, but Burl’s dismissal for 29 in the 18th over halted momentum again. The final over saw two quick wickets, George Linde removing Tashinga Musekiwa (9) and Tony Munyonga (0) in back to back deliveries.
Linde finished with 3/10 in a match defining three over spell. Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Nqabayomuzi Peter chipped in with a wicket each.
In defense, the Chevrons had a perfect start, Ngarava striking with the first legal delivery of the innings, removing debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius for a golden duck.
He continued his fine form by dismissing Reeza Hendricks (11) and Rubin Hermann (45), finishing with 3/35 in four overs. With that performance, Ngarava became Zimbabwe’s all-time leading T20I wicket taker, surpassing Raza with 83 scalps from 70 matches. Raza has 81.
“The scan in England was not too nice for him (Ngarava). He has worked really hard and come back earlier than expected,” Raza said. “Our three seamers did the job, but after the powerplay, the bowlers, including me, need to do better. It’s a conversation I’ve had with the board. It’ll take a lot of courage and patience. I’ll try and lead in a way that they can gain experience, not just from me, but from playing around the world and for Zimbabwe.”
Despite the bright spots, South Africa’s Dewald Brevis turned the game with a quickfire 41 off 17 balls. Gwandu picked up his wicket along with another to finish with 2/15 in 3.1 overs. But the damage was done.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the guys are learning. The scoreboard may not show it, but there’s a lot we’re doing right. Some things we haven’t done well, and once we fix that, we’ll be in a better place,”
Raza added. “We know where we’ve gone wrong, and we have to make sure the standard keeps rising.”
The Tri-Series continues on Wednesday, with South Africa taking on New Zealand at the same venue.
