Zimbabwe stun India in ODI, again
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe completed a remarkable double over India by easing to a comfortable seven-wicket win in a tri-nation series one-day international yesterday.
After limiting India to 194-9 from 50 overs in an impressive bowling show at the Harare Sports Club, the hosts were then inspired by openers Brendan Taylor (74) and Hamilton Masakadza (66) to reach 197-3 with 11.4 overs remaining.
“I thought all the bowlers bowled really well,” said Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura. “And when we batted, we knew it was just a matter of getting good partnerships, and Hami and BT batted really well.”
India lost by six wickets to Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last Friday.
Rarely has a Zimbabwean pair of batsmen from the current crop looked so good against an international attack, with Taylor and Masakadza putting on 128 for the first wicket as they chased a paltry target.
The aggressive Taylor was strong on the backfoot, plundering six fours and one six from 90 balls. Makakadza faced 86 balls and smashed four fours and two towering sixes off spinner Amit Mishra in the 31st over.
First to depart was man-of-the-match Taylor, who lobbed a Pragyan Ojha delivery in the 27th over to Murali Vijay, who made the catch running towards long off.
Masakadza exited 31 runs later after Virat Kohli held on to a great catch from the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
The only other Zimbabwe wicket to fall was Charles Coventry (20), who was well caught by Yusuf Pathan off Jadeja.
Raina said India’s next match, against Sri Lanka tomorrow, was crucial. “We have to play well against Sri Lanka, they are a good side. I hope all goes well for us,” he said.
Off-spinner Greg Lamb had earlier taken a career-best 3-45 in his 10 overs in an impressive bowling performance on an admittedly receptive wicket.
Jadeja top-scored with 51 off 72 balls, with his knock featuring three fours and two sixes.
Zimbabwe used experienced veteran bowlers Andy Blignaut and Ray Price to keep the Indian batsmen under check, hitting accurate line and length in their opening spell.
