press trust of india
Harare, July 17: Young Axar Patel (3/17) and veteran Harbhajan Singh (2/29) gave an impressive display of spin bowling as India relied on an all-round display to trounce a hapless Zimbabwe by 54 runs in the first T20 international here Friday.
Patel and Harbhajan ripped through the Zimbabwe batting order as the home side ended at 124/7 while chasing a target of 179 on a slow track at the Harare Sports Club here to give India a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20 series.
Earlier, India’s top three batsmen comprising captain Ajinkya Rahane (33, 32b, 2×4), Murali Vijay (34, 19b, 5×4, 1×6) and Robin Uthappa (39 n o, 35b, 2×4) fired in unison to help the visiting side post a commanding 178 for five after electing to bat. The Zimbabweans also helped India’s cause as they conceded 25 runs as extras.
Chasing the stiff target, Zimbabwe struggled for runs with the Indians bowling a tight line and length with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar opening the bowling in impressive manner by giving just four runs in his first spell of two overs.
Earlier, India crossed the 175-run mark due to the efforts of Uthappa. The Karnataka batsman, who struggled during the ODI series, batted sensibly and held the innings together after coming into bat in the seventh over.
He put on 45 runs for the fourth wicket with Manish Pandey (19) to accelerate the Indian innings towards the end after openers Rahane and Vijay gave a good start at the top.
The Indians made a strong beginning with Rahane and Vijay putting on 64 runs for the opening wicket in seven overs.
The duo was scoring runs with ease and at a brisk pace before a run out snapped their partnership. Vijay, who was shaping up to play a big innings, fell short of reaching his crease as a brilliant throw from Sikandar Raza from mid-wicket hit the stumps.
Brief scores
India 178 for five (Robin Uthappa 39, Chris Mpofu 3/33) beat Zimbabwe 124 for seven (Axar Patel 3/17) by 54 runs.