ZIMBABWE’S quest to put points on the board was thwarted by New Zealand after the Chevrons went down by eight wickets in a Zimbabwe T20I Tri Series encounter at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The hosts lost the toss and were put in to bat first.
After negotiating the Powerplay well, the script took a wrong turn after losing opener Brian Bennett for a better-a-ball 21 with the scoreboard reading 37-1 after 5.2 overs.
Wesley Madhevere went on to top-score for Zimbabwe with 36 runs from 32 balls.
Madhevere managed to hit four boundaries, but let a half-century go begging.
The third-highest scorer for Zimbabwe was Tony Munyonga with 13 as the hosts ended their innings on a below-par score of 120-7.
Matt Henry was the pick of New Zealand bowlers, taking three wickets for 26 runs from four overs.
The trio of Adam Milne, skipper Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell claimed a wicket each.
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Zimbabwe took an early wicket, Muzarabani making amends for a dropped catch at slip the previous ball off Richard Ngarava’s bowling to dismiss Tim Seifert for three, caught in the covers by Tashinga Musekiwa.
Tinotenda Maposa dismissed Rachin Ravindra (30), caught by a diving Muzarabani at fine leg, but that was as far as the locals would go in the match.
Devon Conway, with an unbeaten 59 off 40 balls and Daryl Mitchell 26 not out, ensured an early finish to the contest, winning with 37 balls to spare.
Muzarabani finished with one for 27 from four overs, while Maposa also had one wicket for 17 runs from two overs.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza spoke of his side’s inferiority with spin.
“I don’t think we batted well at all. The powerplay was okay, but after that, when the ball started turning, we did not have any answers. Once the middle overs got away from us, it was tough to come back,” he said.
“It’s a time when we have to accept the skills we have and improve on them. Once the skills are there, we can make a better plan.
“Today was a fair reflection of where we are against spin and pace on challenging tracks. 145 would have been par and would have given us a better chance.”
New Zealand skipper Santner was happy with the way the spinners fought in the match.
“We were challenged in different parts today. As a bowling unit, we bowled well. We pride ourselves on our fielding; just a couple of dropped catches by me were the quips. We adapted well with the ball,” he said.
“We knew they were going to fire some shots. We kept taking wickets through the middle, and thankfully, there was some spin as well for us.
“On (Tim) Robinson missing out, it’s unfortunate for him. His innings the other day was outstanding. It is a good position for us. All members of the squad can do a job for us.”
Zimbabwe, still in search of their first set of points, play South Africa tomorrow.
New Zealand are now on four points, and South Africa are in second with two.
