Internet Desk: A fancied India suffered a shocking two-run defeat at the hands of an unheralded Zimbabwe as they failed to chase down a tricky target in the first T20 International cricket match, in Harare today.
In the last over, India needed 8 runs with Axar Patel and Dhoni in the middle but as Axar fell on the second ball and bowler Madziva executed his plans to perfection to give Zimbabwe a massive win.
India didn’t get off to an ideal start as KL Rahul was out for a golden duck on debut. Mandeep Singh and Ambati Rayudu did bail the visitors out of trouble with a brisk stand but both fell in quick succession.
Zimbabwe dominated that period of play and slipped in overs from Sikandar Raza to push the asking rate over the nine-run-per-over mark.
Pandey took the responsibility, after the shaky stands, but he was taken by Tiripano at deep cover.
Earlier, after electing to field first and fielding five debutants, India conceded runs in the powerplay but hit back with a couple of quick wickets and were helped by Zimbabwe’s no.3 walking out retired-hurt.
The hosts had five players going into the 20s but it was Chigumbura who turned things around with a brisk fifty.
The right-hander hit as many as seven, and big, sixes to push Zimbabwe to a decent total. From 130/6 after 17.1 overs, Zimbabwe ended with 170/6.
Credit for the surge to the right-hander who entertained the crowd during his 26-ball 54.
For Indian bowlers, it was an off day as debutants Chahal, Unadkat and Dhawan leaked runs. The trio returned with disappointing figures of 1/38, 0/43 and 1/42 respectively and it was Bumrah (2/24) and Axar (1/18) who didn’t let the game slip away in the middle overs.