ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) — Captain Travis Dowlin stroked a responsible, unbeaten 49 to steer West Indies A to a nervous, five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their Twenty20 match at the Queen’s Park Stadium yesterday.

The right-handed Guyanese, overlooked by selectors for the ODI series against Zimbabwe last month, anchored the hosts’ innings to ensure they reached their target of 114 with just two balls to spare.

Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled as they made 113 for eight off their allotted 20 overs, after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

Only Brendon Taylor, who got 37 from 39 balls with a four and a six, showed any enterprise as off-spinner Shane Shillingford undermined the innings with three for 14 while fast bowler Jason Holder claimed two for 24.

West Indies A’s start was shaky as they lost Justin Guillen for one in the second over when the right-hander gave left-arm spinner Ray Price a return catch with the score on two.

However, Dowlin and Devon Smith then carved out the most productive partnership of the game, adding 56 from 42 balls for the second wicket.

Dowlin struck just one four and a six in an innings lasting 49 balls while Smith was the aggressor, smashing three fours and two sixes in his 31 from 27 balls.

The two teams clash again on Saturday in the final T20 march at Progress Park.