Hobart [Australia], October 19 (ANI): Pace duo of Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder unleashed terror on helpless Zimbabwe batters, powering West Indies to a crucial 31-run win in their Group B round one match in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup at Hobart on Wednesday.
This win is a much-needed one for two-time champions, who have struggled to win matches in recent months. With this win, West Indies is at third position with two points and one win in two games. Zimbabwe is at second place with two points and one win in two games.
Chasing 154, Zimbabwe was off to shaky start as skipper Regis Chakabva’s stumps were dislodged for just 13 off 9 balls. Zimbabwe was at 29/1 at this point.
After a while, Zimbabwe experienced two quick jolts when Tony Munyonga (2) and Tony Munyonga (1) were dismissed quickly by Alzarri Joseph and Obed McCoy respectively, leaving Zimbabwe at 3/48 in 5.1 overs.
The pair of Sikandar Raza and Wessly Madhevere took Zimbabwe through the remainder of powerplay. At the end of six overs, Zimbabwe was at 55/3, with Madhevere (27*) and Raza (5*) at the crease.
All-rounder Jason Holder got his first wicket of the match when Madhevere was at 27. Zimbabwe was reduced to 58/4.
Medium pacer Odean Smith gave a huge blow to Zimbabwe by dismissing Raza for 14 off 8 balls. Half of Zimbabwe’s batting was back in the hut for 64 runs in 7.2 overs.
Zimbabwe’s miseries did not end as Milton Shumba was dismissed by Akeal Hosein for just 2 runs, reducing them to 6/79.
Ryan Burl and Luke Jongwe tried to stabilise the innings, but the duo of Joseph and Holder continued to wreak havoc on Zimbabwe batters. Burl (13), Richard Ngarava (2), Luke Jongwe (29) and Tendai Chatara (1) were sent back quickly, with Joseph taking scalps of Jongwe and Ngarava while Holder dismissed Burl and Chatara. Zimbabwe was bundled out for just 122 runs in 18.2 overs and lost the match by 31 runs.
Joseph was the star for West Indies with the ball, taking 4/16 in his four overs. Holder took 3/12 in his 3.2 overs. Akeal Hosein and Odean Smith took a wicket each.
Earlier, a fantastic spell from star all-rounder Sikandar Raza helped Zimbabwe restrict West Indies to 153/7 in their Group B, round one match of the ICC T20 World Cup in Hobart on Wednesday.
West Indies had got a solid start with the bat and were at 77/1 at one point. But Raza’s (3/19) had them struggling at 101/6 within a span of four overs. For Windies, Johnson Charles top scored with 45 runs off 36 balls.
Batting first, West Indies was off to a shaky start as they lost opener Kyle Mayers for 13 off 12 balls. The batter top-edged a delivery by pacer Blessing Muzarbani and it went straight into the hands of captain Regis Chakabva.
The next batter was Evin Lewis and he joined Johnson Charles. At the end of the powerplay in six overs, WI was at 49/1, with Lewis (8*) and Charles (18*) at the crease.
West Indies crossed the 50-run mark in 6.1 overs.
A major highlight of the innings came in the 9th over when both batters smashed Ryan Burl for sixteen runs, including two fours and a six.
The partnership was looking strong but Zimbabwe’s star all rounder Sikandar Raza intervened to remove a dangerous Lewis for 15 off 18 balls. WI was 77/2 after this 49-run stand ended.
At the end of ten overs, WI was at 78/2, with skipper Nicholas Pooran (1*) joining Charles (39*).
West Indies received two quick jolts in the 13th over bowled by Sean Williams, with the bowler dismissing Pooran for 7 off 8 balls and running out a well-set Charles for 45 off 36 balls, consisting of three fours and two sixes.
The two-time champs were reduced to 97/4 and lost their last three wickets within 20 runs.
Raza’s brilliance with the ball continued to swing the match in Zimbabwe’s favour as he dismissed Shamarh Brooks (0) and Jason Holder (4) in the 14th over. A collapse of epic proportions took place as WI lost five of their wickets for just 24 runs.
The responsibility fell on the duo of Akeal Hossain and Rovman Powell to rebuild the innings.
At the end of 15 overs, WI was 106/6, with Hossain at 3* and Powell at 7*.
Hossain and Muzarbani were able to build a 49-run stand, which was broken in the final over after Muzarbani removed Powell for 28 off 21 balls.
West Indies finished their innings at 153/7 in 20 overs, with Hossain (23*), Odean Smith (1*)
Raza was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, taking 3/19. Muzarbani got two while Williams also took one wicket.
Brief Scores: West Indies: 153/7 (Johnson Charles 45, Rovman Powell 28, Sikandar Raza 3/19) defeated Zimbabwe: 122 in 18.2 overs (Luke Jongwe 29, Wessly Madhevere 27, Alzarri Joseph 4/16) by 31 runs. (ANI).
This report is filed by ANI news service. TheNewsMill holds no responsibility for this content.
