Zimbabwe vs Namibia, 1st T20I Match Summary

Right then, that is all we have from this game. The second T20I will be played on Thursday, 19th May. That game is set to begin at 4:30 pm IST (11:00 am GMT). Our coverage, though, will start in advance. Do join us for the same. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Craig Ervine has been named Player of the Match for his innings of 55.

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat first, Zimbabwe put on 153 runs on the board thanks to a brilliant captain's knock from Craig Ervine and a decent cameo from Sikandar Raza. The bowling from Namibia was good with Bernard Scholtz picking up two wickets and skipper Gerhard Erasmus too doing an economical job. Chasing a getable target, Namibia's innings got off to an ideal start but as the match got tighter, the lower order batters just found it tougher to score and Zimbabwe ended up winning the match.

The Zimbabwe bowlers deserve a round of applause and deservingly so. After their batters had put on a below-par total on the board, the opening bowlers too couldn't make inroads inside the Powerplay. However, the introduction of Milton Shumba was the turning point as he picked up three wickets and turned the game on its head. Tendai Chatara then closed out the game well and the hosts have the early lead in the series.

Namibia will be kicking themselves after that loss. They were cruising along at one point and with Divan la Cock set at the crease, they would not have expected to falter like this. After a strong showing with the ball, the openers put Namibia in command but a poor show from the middle order have caused them dearly.

What a start to the series we've had! Zimbabwe have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series.

A length ball, around middle and leg. David Wiese tucks it towards deep square leg for a single. Zimbabwe win by 7 runs!

Well bowled! A yorker-length delivery, outside off. David Wiese drives it towards sweeper cover for a brace.

Two taken! Fuller again, around middle and leg. David Wiese pushes it towards deep mid-wicket. They come back for the second run.

Back of a length, outside off, slower ball. Ruben Trumpelmann pulls it towards long on and hands the strike back to David Wiese.

Ruben Trumpelmann is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A peach of a delivery! Tendai Chatara sends back Zane Green which means a new batter will be at the crease. A perfect yorker, outside off. Zane Green looks to squeeze this away, but he gets a faint edge back to the keeper. Regis Chakabva grabs it safely.

Very full, around off. David Wiese drives it through cover for a single.

Swing and a miss! Wide of off, fuller in length. Zane Green throws his bat at it but he misses. 15 off 6 now.

FOUR! Lovely shot! A shorter ball, around off. Zane Green upper cuts this over the keeper's head towards third man for a boundary.

Well bowled! A yorker this time, on middle. David Wiese knocks it towards long on for a single.

Width on offer now, another short ball. Zane Green cuts it towards deep cover. Only a single.

Another back-of-a-length delivery, a slower one now. David Wiese pulls this but the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Luke Jongwe digs it short, around middle. David Wiese pulls it towards deep square leg. The fielder there dives to his right and makes a good stop. Two taken!

Shorter ball, on middle. David Wiese pulls it towards deep square leg for another single. 24 needed off the last two overs.

On a length, around off. Zane Green pushes it off the back foot towards cover for a single.

Another shortish ball, outside off. David Wiese mistimes his pull shot towards long on. The fielder there collects the ball on a bounce. Another single!

Back of a length, outside off. Zane Green steers it down to third man. Single taken!

FOUR! Lovely shot! This will ease the pressure on Namibia! A short ball, around middle. Zane Green pulls it towards deep square leg for a boundary.

On a length, angling in, around middle David Wiese taps it towards third man for a single.

Fuller this time, outside off. David Wiese drives it towards deep cover for a single. 33 needed off 18 balls now.

Shorter ball, outside off. Zane Green pushes it towards deep cover for a single.

David Wiese walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Zimbabwe strike once again at the right time! Milton Shumba, what a day he is having with the ball. He has got rid of Divan la Cock. An important wicket. Another shorter ball, around middle. Divan la Cock miscues his pull shot towards deep square leg. Luke Jongwe there takes a good low catch towards his left.

SIX! BOOM! Lovely shot! Fuller ball, that is in the slot, around off. Divan la Cock smashes it high over long on for a biggie.