Zim seek rare T20 series win over India

Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER Neville Madziva’s last over heroics helped Zimbabwe shut out India by two runs in a closely fought first Twenty20 International on Saturday, the home team head into the second match looking to wrap up the series at Harare Sports Club this afternoon. Madziva was called upon to bowl the concluding over, with one of the world’s best batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni on strike, but held his nerve to hand Zimbabwe their second consecutive victory in T20 matches at Harare Sports Club.

Former captain Elton Chigumbura had laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s competitive total of 170 runs, with a fine innings of 54 not out from 26 deliveries at a marvellous strike rate of 207 percent.

The third encounter on Wednesday could be a dead rubber if the Chevrons can do the unthinkable this afternoon. The home side’s batting line-up suffered another dent, with wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami doubtful after he retired hurt after being struck on the ribs by Indian pace bowler Jaydev Unadkat. Mutumbami was unable to field and Malcolm Waller, Zimbabwe’s second highest run scorer with 30 runs, had to field.

The Zimbabwean selectors will be hoping Brian Chari makes a full recovery from a knee injury that denied him the opportunity of making his T20I debut on Saturday. Other batting options for the home side are in the form of Peter Moor and Vusumuzi Sibanda, who were not selected for the opening T20I.

Zimbabwe’s seamers were in superb form, with Donald Tiripano getting rid of Kannaur Lokesh Rahul for a first ball duck. Taurai Muzarabani also chipped in with two crucial wickets, while Madziva picked up a crucial wicket in that last over.

Chamunorwa Chibhabha also bowled well with his medium pace and left many questioning skipper Graeme Cremer’s decision to only give him two overs.

The Indians are sure to come out blazing to avoid going down for a third time in a row in this format of the game. Their bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah has been brilliant so far on the tour, but Chigumbura ripped them apart with some fluent stroke play on Saturday, something that would see Zimbabwe claim a first ever series victory over India in the T20 format if he can repeat that performance and also gets support from his fellow batsmen.

Squads
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (captain), Sikandar Raza, Brian Chari, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Peter Moor, Tapiwa Mufudza, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Richmond Mutumbami (wicketkeeper), Taurai Muzarabani, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, Faiz Fazal, Manish Pandey, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Barinder Sran, Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal.