Online Reporter
Takudzwa Manzero
Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE senior men’s international cricket team kicked off their ICC T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable eight wicket victory over Oman at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets in the powerplay, curtailing the opposing batters with the bounce and the new ball in Colombo.
The early breakthrough of Jatinder Singh through a quick delivery penetrating the top order batter’s defence and hitting the top of off stumps turned the game on its head.
Speaking after receiving his award, man of the match, Blessing Muzarabani, said: “I am glad we managed to get the first win out of the way. I am happy with the playing conditions in Colombo which had bounce in the pitch and aided with the wickets.”
The Zimbabwean bowlers showed up to the party as Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans also took three wickets apiece, while Sikandar Raza took one.
Top order batsmen, Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani and veteran, Brendan Taylor spearheaded the run chase as the Chevrons reached the target comfortably.
Speaking after the defeat, Oman captain said: “The pitch conditions had a little extra bounce than the one we played the warm up game on. The batters failed to put in a defendable total at the end of the day and we couldn’t pressure the bowlers when we had set a low target. We are looking forward to bouncing back.”
