Harare,jul 10
Fine bowling performance by Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan helped India overcome a scare of 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Dion Myers and Clive Madande and beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I of the five-match series at Harare on Wednesday.
With this win, India leads the series 2-1, with two more games to go.
In the run-chase of 183 runs, Zimbabwe seemed to have got off to a fine start, as Tadiwanashe Marumani unleashed two boundaries against Khaleel Ahmed in the first over. But in the next over, Avesh Khan produced a fine delivery to remove Wesley Madhevere for just one run in two balls, with Abhishek Sharma taking a fine catch at short cover. Zimbabwe was 9/1 in 1.1 overs.
In the next over, Khaleel put an end to Marumani’s short knock of 13 in 10 balls, with three fours. Shivam Dube took a fine catch at mid-on. Zimbabwe was 19/2 in 2.4 overs.In the next over, Avesh got his second wicket as Brian Bennett was dismissed for just four runs in five balls, caught by Ravi Bishnoi at backward point while attempting to cut, giving Avesh his second wicket. Zimbabwe was 19/3 in 3.1 overs.
Skipper Sikandar Raza came to the crease with a responsibility to guide his team out of trouble. He started off well by striking Avesh and Ravi for three boundaries. At the end of six overs, Zimbabwe was 37/3, with Raza (15*) and Dion Myers (2*) unbeaten.
However, Washington Sundar’s spin once again pushed back Zimbabwe, as he got wickets of Raza (15 in 16 balls) and Johnathan Campbell (1), with Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag taking the catches. Zimbabwe sunk to 39/5 in seven overs. Madande and Myers started to take on Abhishek Sharma’s spin and Shivam Dube’s medium pace bravely, with Shivam being hit for three fours and two big sixes by the duo.
Zimbabwe reached their 100-run mark in 14.2 overs and the duo had also brought up their 50-run stand in 39 balls.
At the end of 15 overs, Zimbabwe was 110/5, with Myers (39*) and Madande (35*) unbeaten.
The fighting partnership between Madande and Myers ended with Washington getting the scalp of Madande for 37 in 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes. Rinku got the fine catch at deep square leg. Zimbabwe was 116/6 in 16.3 overs. The 77-run partnership was finally over.
Myers reached his maiden half-century in T20Is in 45 balls, with five fours and a six.
Zimbabwe managed to end a match on high despite not being able to get the winning runs. Avesh’s final over was punished by Myers and Wellington Masakadza, who smashed him for 18 runs. Zimbabwe ended at 159/6 in their 20 overs, with Myers (65* in 49 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Masakadza (18* in 10 balls, with a four and six).
Sundar (3/15) was the pick of the bowlers for India. Avesh (2/39) and Khaleel (1/15) were also among the top bowlers for India.
Earlier, a fine half-century from skipper Shubman Gill and his big partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India register a total of 182/4 in their 20 overs during the third T20I against Zimbabwe at Harare on Wednesday.
Muzarbani (2/25) and Raza (2/24) were among the wickets for Zimbabwe.
Brief Scores: India: 182/4 (Shubman Gill 66, Ruturaj Gaikwad 49, Sikandar Raza 2/24) beat Zimbabwe: 159/6 (Dion Myers 65*, Clive Madande 37, Washington Sundar 3/15).
