2nd T20I, Raeburn Place, September 17, 2021, 06:30 PM
Zimbabwe
136/5(20.0ov)
Scotland
126/10(19.4ov)
Zimbabwe beat Scotland by 10 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Richard Ngarava
Commentry
That is all from this game! The decider will be played on 19th September, Sunday between these two teams which will begin at 1400 local (1300 GMT). Do join us for that game as it promises to be a cracker. Till then, goodbye and take care!
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe set Scotland a target of 137 which did not look daunting at all, but it was Zimbabwe's accurate bowling which saw them through and they level the three match T20I series 1-1.
Zimbabwe were right on the money from the first over and Richard Ngarava provided them with crucial breakthrough early on in the innings! He was really well backed up by other bowlers and they kept things tight in the middle. Luke Jongwe and Richard Ngarava were brilliant in the death overs and they did not give any freebies to Scotland's batters. Wellington Masakadza was given the job of bowling the last over in which he had to defend 13 runs. He too, bowled exceptionally well in the final over and managed to pick up two wickets. A total of 4 wickets fell in the last over of the innings and Scotland were handed a defeat!
There is something with the Powerplays in this series. The three innings before this one, all had flury of wickets in the Powerplay and the trend continued in this one too. Scotland lost 4 wickets when they had just 16 on board. But Richie Berrington this time found the able partner in Matthew Cross.They weathered the storm early and then started getting boundaries once the spinners came on. But just when things were going well, Berrington lost his wicket when they needed 46 more. There was a small partnership between Matthew Cross and Michael Leask but soon Cross departed but Michael Leask kept them in the chase. But just like Zimbabawe the other day, Scots failed to get over the line in the end as they lost four wickets in the final over.
What a fantastic bowling effort this has been from Zimbabwe and they clinch this match to keep the series well and truly alive!
In over# 20
1W
0W
1W
0W
Wellington Masakadza 19/2(3.4)
19.4
W
OUT! RUN OUT! That's it, Zimbabwe have pulled it off. Flatter delivery, worked to mid-wicket and the batters try to get back for the second. Again, the throw from the deep is a great one by Regis Chakabva and its straight to the bowler. Wellington Masakadza whips off the bails in a flash and Gavin Main is well short of his ground. Zimbabwe WIN BY 10 RUNS!
Gavin Main is the last man in.
19.3
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Is that the game in the bag for Zimbabwe? Tossed up on middle and Michael Leask looks to slog it over the long on fence. Leask doesn't get enough on it and holds out to long on. Sean Williams completes a simple catch and Wellington Masakadza is ecstatic. A hammer blow for the hosts.
19.2
W
OUT! RUN OUT! On middle and Leask pushes it down to long on. They have to go for the second but the throw from Sean Williams is a brilliant one. Wellington Masakadza collects the ball at the bowler's end and whips off the bails in a flash. Mark Watt has to go without facing a ball. 12 needed now off 4 balls.
Mark Watt is in at number 9.
19.1
W
OUT! TAKEN! In the slot and on off stump. Safyaan Sharif gets low and creams this one but he hits it straight down the throat of the long off fielder. Ryan Burl takes a fine catch and Safyaan Sharif has to go. Wellington Masakadza has struck but Michael Leask will be back on strike. 13 needed off 5 balls.
Wellington Masakadza is going to bowl the all important final over.
In over# 19
0
1
0
1
0
2
Richard Ngarava 13/2(4)
18.6
.
What an excellent over from Richard Ngarava! Finishes with another dot. Full and quick, following the batter down the leg side. Cross looks to swing but the ball goes between the leg stump and his body. Just 4 off it and now 13 needed off 6 balls.
18.5
1
Length ball, on middle. Sharif swats it away to deep mid-wicket for another one.
18.4
.
A quick and short ball this time, around off. Sharif looks to swing but gets beaten for pace.
18.3
1
Length ball, on middle. Leask pushed it down to long on for a single.
18.2
.
Back of a length, on leg stump, cramps Leask for room who cannot get it away.
18.1
2
DROPPED! How crucial will that be? Good-length ball, outside off and Cross gives the charge. He lifts it over backward point and Innocent Kaia runs in from deep point towards it. After doing all the hardwork, he spills the catch and they get a couple of runs as well.