Chatara and Raza star as Zimbabwe stun India in low-scorer
Hosts defend 115 to take 1-0 lead in five-match T20I series in Harare
Hosts defend 115 to take 1-0 lead in five-match T20I series in Harare
Scorer: Ranjith P | Commentator: Ashish and Ekanth
No one can take this away from Zimbabwe. That's the bottom line. They weren't bogged down by the brightest crop of Indian players, who have established themselves at the IPL and some, at the international level. They scrapped their way through to a memorable win and a 1-0 series lead. For a recap of how it happened, check out Ashish's report. More analysis coming up here on Cricinfo. So, check it out and join us again tomorrow.
Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain and POTM: Feel really happy. Gotta take one game at the time. Gotta enjoy this victory but job's not done. World champions will play like world champions, we gotta make sure we keep upping our game one game at a time. I don't think it's a 116 wicket, it's nor a wicket where you get all out for 103. So, credit to the bowlers from both sides especially given the sticky conditions in the winter. Likely to be slower and turn. (Do you remember the last time Zimbabwe beat India?) Was I not captaining that series, or that game? (was eight years ago) 115 wasn't many. I told not to care about the result, just wanted to show fight and give the crowd what they wanted. We didn't want to blown away. We were brilliant in the field. Not perfect, but that shows there's room for improvement. We knew the fans will be there encouraging us. We wanted to make use of the energy while batting, bowling fielding. And the crowd didn't let us down, the energy was up and kept us going. We felt like we were a team of 12, again
Shubman Gill, India captain: We bowled well, but we let ourselves down in the field. Looked a bit rusty. We wanted to take time, enjoy the batting, but didn't pan out that way. Halfway down, we'd lost five wickets. Would've been best if I'd stayed till the end. Disappointed with the way I got out and how it panned out. Washi kept hopes up. When you have to chase 115 and your No. 10 bat is the one you want winning you the game, you know something's gone wrong.
Clive Madande: Just wanted to bat throughout the innings. Trying to protect my partner while staying positive. Thankfully got to 115 in a low-scorer. Just told him to keep the straight bat. Gave him one-two balls to survive. On this type of pitch, slowish, we just needed to give it all.
Rakesh: "Well played Zimbabwe!! Lessons to be learnt from here for the young Indian team, lot of them will feel humbled by this sport today!"
4:32pm Take a breath. One Mississippi, two Mississippi. Zimbabwe, who were unable to make the World Cup because of a loss to Uganda, have beat the new-look version of the champions. The situation is laden with caveats but nothing can be taken away from the hosts, who were restricted to a low score on a pitch that looked much better than it played. The 25 runs made for the last wicket helped them bat through the innings and turn a modest chase into a tall climb. In the end, they had 13 too many.
Washington Sundar c Muzarabani b Chatara 27 (49m 34b 1x4 1x6) SR: 79.41
Sushil: "Deja Vu 16 needed from 6 like SA needed in the T20 WC final" Washington on strike. Chatara to bowl as the shadows lengthen
Khaleel has one ball to survive. Zimbabwe take a moment to plan, send long-off out. There's activity behind the sight-screen, which Sundar notifies
And how many women have scored a hundred in one session of a Test?
India were unable to chase 116 against Zimbabwe in a T20I in Harare
Hosts defend 115 to take 1-0 lead in five-match T20I series in Harare
India had won 12 consecutive internationals across formats before their shock defeat in Harare
Not qualifying for the 2024 T20 World Cup was no doubt a downer, but Zimbabwe, at least for now, seem to have put the doom and gloom behind them