Harare, July 6, 2024 — In a nail-biting series opener, Zimbabwe pulled off a shocking 13-run victory against India in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday. The match saw Zimbabwe’s bowlers delivering an enthusiastic and disciplined performance to defend a modest total and outplay a formidable Indian side.
Zimbabwe’s Innings: Struggling Yet Resilient
After winning the toss, Indian captain Shubman Gill chose to field first, a decision that seemed justified as India’s bowlers dominated the early proceedings. Ravi Bishnoi led the attack with a career-best performance, taking four wickets for just 13 runs in his four overs. Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled to find momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Despite the pressure, they managed to reach 115 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to some crucial lower-order contributions.
India’s Chase: A Dramatic Collapse
Chasing a target of 116, India appeared to be in control initially. However, Zimbabwean bowlers quickly turned the tide. Tendai Chatara and Sikandar Raza were the stars of the show, with Chatara taking three wickets for 16 runs and Raza matching his effort with figures of 3 for 25. The Indian batting lineup crumbled under pressure, struggling against the extra bounce and disciplined bowling from Zimbabwe.
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Washington Sundar fought valiantly, scoring 27 runs and keeping India’s hopes alive till the end. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as India was bowled out for 102 in 19.5 overs, falling short by 13 runs.
Key Performances:
- Ravi Bishnoi (India): 4 wickets for 13 runs
- Tendai Chatara (Zimbabwe): 3 wickets for 16 runs
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): 3 wickets for 25 runs
- Washington Sundar (India): 27 runs
Post-Match Reactions:
Zimbabwean captain praised his team’s resilience and the outstanding bowling performance that secured their victory. “We knew we had to bowl out of our skins to defend this total, and the boys delivered,” he said. On the other hand, Shubman Gill expressed disappointment over the batting collapse but commended the Zimbabwean bowlers for their exceptional effort.
With this unexpected win, Zimbabwe takes a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The second T20I promises to be a thrilling encounter as India looks to bounce back and Zimbabwe aims to carry forward their momentum.
Scorecard Summary:
- Zimbabwe: 115/9 (20 overs)
- India: 102/10 (19.5 overs)
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as the series progresses.
Zimbabwe win the first T20I by 13 runs 🎉 #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/cy88BNqogL
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 6, 2024
