IND vs ZIM 3rd T20I : India beats Zimbabwe by 23 runs
IND vs ZIM 3rd T20I : Fine bowling performance by Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan helped India overcome a scare of 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Dion Myers and Clive Madande and beat Zimbabwe by 23 runs in the third T20I of the five-match series at Harare on Wednesday.
With this win, India leads the series 2-1, with two more games to go.
In the following over, Khaleel ended Marumani's brief innings of 13 runs from 10 balls, which included three fours. Shivam Dube took a good catch at mid-on. Zimbabwe stood at 19/2 in 2.4 overs. In the next over, Avesh secured his second wicket by dismissing Brian Bennett for just four runs in five balls. Bennett was caught by Ravi Bishnoi at backward point while trying to cut, bringing Zimbabwe to 19/3 in 3.1 overs.
Washington Sundar's spin caused further setbacks for Zimbabwe. He dismissed Raza (15 off 16 balls) and Johnathan Campbell (1), with catches taken by Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag. Zimbabwe slumped to 39/5 in seven overs. At the halfway point of the innings, Zimbabwe was 60/5, with Madande (10*) and Myers (15*) unbeaten.
Madande and Myers started to take on Abhishek Sharma's spin and Shivam Dube's medium pace bravely, with Shivam being hit for three fours and two big sixes by the duo.
Zimbabwe reached their 100-run mark in 14.2 overs and the duo had also brought up their 50-run stand in 39 balls.
At the end of 15 overs, Zimbabwe was 110/5, with Myers (39*) and Madande (35*) unbeaten.
The fighting partnership between Madande and Myers ended with Washington getting the scalp of Madande for 37 in 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes. Rinku got the fine catch at deep square leg. Zimbabwe was 116/6 in 16.3 overs. The 77-run partnership was finally over.
Myers reached his maiden half-century in T20Is in 45 balls, with five fours and a six.
Zimbabwe managed to end a match on high despite not being able to get the winning runs. Avesh's final over was punished by Myers and Wellington Masakadza, who smashed him for 18 runs. Zimbabwe ended at 159/6 in their 20 overs, with Myers (65* in 49 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Masakadza (18* in 10 balls, with a four and six).
Sundar (3/15) was the pick of the bowlers for India. Avesh (2/39) and Khaleel (1/15) were also among the top bowlers for India.
Jaiswal hit Brian Benett for two fours and a six to kickstart the proceedings while Shubman Gill took down Richard Ngarva next over, with two fours and a six.
With a single, India reached the 50-run in 4.1 overs.
The 67-run partnership between the duo ended with Jaiswal being dismissed by Sikandar Raza for 36 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes. India was 67/1 in 8.1 overs.
Halfway through the innings, India was 80/1, Abhishek (10*) and Gill (33*) unbeaten. The 17th over bowled by Raza was an expensive over, as Gill-Gaikwad smoked him for a four and two big sixes. 150 runs were up for India in 17.2 overs.
India ended their innings at 182/4, with Rinku Singh (1*) and Sanju Samson (12*) unbeaten.
Brief Scores: India: 182/4 (Shubman Gill 66, Ruturaj Gaikwad 49, Sikandar Raza 2/24) beat Zimbabwe: 159/6 (Dion Myers 65*, Clive Madande 37, Washington Sundar 3/15).
- With inputs from agencies
