Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THIS is another level boys!
The Zimbabwe Under-19 team were put to the sword as they crashed to a 204-run defeat at the hands of India in an ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Super Six encounter at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Chasing the 353 set by the Asians, Zimbabwe were bowled out for a paltry 148.
An unbeaten century by India’s Vihaan Malhotra powered the Asians, who have won all their matches, to 352-8.
Zimbabwe won the toss and skipper Simbarashe Mudzengerere opted to field.
It was the only thing the hosts won yesterday. The Asians got off to a blistering start as their top order punished the hosts with some exquisite and aggressive shot-making.
The opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Aaron George put 44 runs off 26 balls for the first wicket.
They raced to 100-2 inside the first 10 overs of the match.
However, Zimbabwe struck back a bit, as three quick wickets saw the hosts bring some semblance of balance with India on 130-4, six overs later.
Tatenda Chimugoro was responsible for all the three wickets.
Mudzengerere chipped in with two scalps.
Zimbabwe’s chase was short and uneventful as, once again, the hosts’ batting weaknesses were laid bare for all to witness.
They got off to the worst possible start as opener Nathaniel Hlabangana lost his wicket to the second ball of the innings.
He was trapped leg-before-wicket by RS Ambrish for his two-ball duck.
His partner, Dhruv Patel, did not last long either as he was caught behind by Kundu off the bowling of Henil Patel for his eight runs.
The duo of Kian Blignaut and Leeroy Chiwaula tried to stabilise the innings with a fourth-wicket partnership that reaped 69 runs off 109 balls.
Chimugoro and Chiwaula shared 49-runs off 41 balls for the fifth-wicket.
Chiwaula top-scored for the hosts with 62 runs off 77 balls while Blignaut chipped in with 37 runs off 73 balls.
The hosts collapsed from 142-5 to 148 all out in the blink of an eye.
Zimbabwe lost their five last wickets for just seven runs.
The duo of Udhav Mohan and Mhatre finished as the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming three wickets each.
“If we had executed better early on, we could have taken more wickets and restricted them,” said Mudzengerere.
“The bowlers were bowling a bit too full, which wasn’t necessary at the time.
“They also didn’t adapt well to the conditions or the boundary dimensions, despite knowing how the wicket was playing.”
For his unbeaten 109 off 107, Malhotra was duly awarded the Player of the Match award.
“It is a great feeling to contribute to the team with the bat and I had a great day and game today.”
