An all-round Zimbabwe crushed Scotland by 11 runs to increase their hopes of making it to the main draw of the World Twenty20. (SCORECARDÂ |Â AFG vs HK LIVEÂ |Â SCHEDULEÂ |Â NEWSÂ |Â VIDEOSÂ |Â GALLERY)
After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe were on the backfoot, when they lost Hamilton Masakadza for 12. However, Sean Williams and Richmond Mutumbami added 32 runs to steady Zimbabwe.Â
Williams stroked his way to 36-ball 53, which included six boundaries.Â
Scotland were pegged back in the initial overs and were reeling at 4/20 in just the third over. Richie Berrington and Preston Mommsen added 51-run for the sixth wicket to help Scotland recover.Â
With the ball, Wellington Masakadza was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/28 from his four overs.Â
Sean Williams then took the onus on him to score the important runs for the team. Elton Chigumbura used the long handle to good effect with a quickfire 20. For Scotland, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif and Alasdair Evans picked up two wickets apiece to keep a tab on Zimbabwe's scoring rate.
Zimbabwe started their World Twenty20 campaign off to a grand style as they beat Hong Kong by 14 runs in the opening game of the T20 World Cup at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha in Nagpur.Â
Meanwhile the news from the middle is Zimbabwe have won the toss and elected to bat first against Scotland on a dry pitch.
Vusi Sibanda has been in fine form and he will once again look give the team a fast start against Scotland.
Scotland on the other hand, started off well, but lost their way against Afghanistan and ended up losing the game by 14 runs.
The momentum may be on Zimbabwe's side, but one can't rule out Scotland, considering they have a good bowling line-up. Zimbabwe will look to come up with a better display on the field if they want to make it to the main draw.
T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe vs Scotland
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That ends a cracking game between Scotland and Zimbabwe. Now we head for the second match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Stay tuned!
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Preston Mommsen says that it was a difficult start to bat. Adds that they wanted to be positive and score runs but lacked quality. Also confirms they lacked partnerships.
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Hamilton Masakadza, winning captain, says that they are playing well and guys are gelling up well too. On their performance they are believing to play better. On Sibanda, declares he will be alright and all looks positive. On Afghanistan, he says they want to win it and play a good game in the crucial match.
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Wellington Masakadza, Man Of The Match, says that it had been quite some time for him to perform. Adds they want to qualify for the main draw. On his bowling, he says that he wanted to bowl well and give less runs. On his batting he says, he wanted to bat and get a good knock for the side.
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Richie Berrington and Preston Mommsen kept the chase alive for some time but the death bowling was superb and thus Scotland could not sail across as a winner. Zimbabwe are roaring high while Scotland are knocked out. Stay tuned for the presentation.
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Perfect end for Zimbabwe! Batted well and they bowled well to get this win under their belt. It is 2 in 2 for them in this stage now. After being put down to chase, Scotland lost their 4 wickets in 4 overs and literally lost the chase. Wellington Masakadza picked up 4 wickets, putting the pressure on the Scots while Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara picked up 2 wickets each.
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19.4WDonald Tiripano to Alasdair Evans
OUT! Game over for Scotland. Slower ball on the stumps, Evans goes for a wild swing but at the end ball knocks the bails off. ZIMBABWE WIN BY 11 RUNS.
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19.31Donald Tiripano to Mark Watt
Watt comes down the track and plays it to long on for a single.
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19.22Donald Tiripano to Mark Watt
Length ball on off, driven to long off for a single. They go for the second run and a shy at the keeper's end here. The bails are off. Decision goes upstairs. Not out given.
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19.14Donald Tiripano to Mark Watt
FOUR! EDGED! Fuller ball on off, Watt slices it to third man region for a boundary. Game on!