Online Reporter
Online Writer
Zimbabwe’s senior men’s cricket team suffered a five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the opening match of the T20I triangular series at Harare Sports Club today.The hosts of the tri-series tournament were sent in to bat first after South Africa had won the toss.
Sikandar Raza, who missed the two Test matches against South Africa in Bulawayo, led Zimbabwe’s innings with an unbeaten half-century.
Raza scored 54 off 38 balls, his 15th half-century in T20Is.
Zimbabwe were restricted to 141 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Brian Bennett was Zimbabwe’s second-best run scorer with 30 runs off 28 balls while Ryan Burl scored 29 off 20 balls.
Set to defend the 141-run score, Zimbabwe had an early breakthrough in South Africa’s innings as Richard Ngarava claimed the hosts’ first wicket with the first ball of the innings.
But South Africa managed to bounce back into the game, chasing the target in 16 overs for the loss of five wickets.
Zimbabwe’s defeat was their sixth successive defeat to South Africa.
