Sikandar Raza who did not even know he would be captaining the team until the warm-ups when regular captain Elton Chigumbura pulled up with an injury saw Zimbabwe beating India by 10 runs in the 2nd T20 International.
Raza took on the responsibility, marshalled his bowlers cleverly and defended a relatively low total of just 145. Chibhabha was the star of the innings with a brilliant 51-ball 67 to his name with India conceding a whooping 16 extras in the innings which could very well be the reason of their loss.
More pleasing will be Zimbabwe finally managing to put up a good bowling effort. The yorkers landed properly, the spinners leg by Graeme Cremer with 3 for 15, strangled India. And then Chris Mpofu and Taurai Muzarabani finished things off.
The last five overs of the Indian innings saw only 30 runs with the loss of four wickets which included a stunning, running, diving, match-turning catch from half-centurion Chamu Chibhabha.
Indian batting never took off with wickets falling in bundles with only Robin Uthappa getting a respectable 42 off 25 balls but he should have continued to carry on rather than throwing his wicket away to Sean Williams.
Stand-in Zimbabwe captain had this to say, “It was my first game as captain for Zimbabwe, great honour and the team out there made me feel welcome and the fans made their support felt. We knew we were 10-15 runs short. Basic errors cost us, but like we said our poor run had to come to the end and it came today. I just said if we save one run every over, at the end we would have saved 20 runs. Try to contribute like that and at the end we would come out well. Everything has to come to an end, and now we hope we can win more games for Zimbabwe and give the fans something to cheer about.”
Indian Captain Ajinkya Rahane was quick to give credit where it was due and had this to say, “Credit to Zimbabwe, fantastic with the ball and fielded well as well. 145 was achievable, our bowlers did very well, especially in the last five overs. We didn’t bat well, we accept that. Lost wickets continuously. Thats why pressure was built. Played pretty well, in the one-dayers and T20. Disappointed with losing the game today, but overall happy with the boys”
