Right then, we have our semi-finals line-up ready! It will be Zimbabwe going up against Papua New Guinea in the first semi-final at this same venue Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The second semi-final will see the Netherlands going head-to-head against the USA at Bulawayo Athletic Club. Both the games will start at 5 pm IST (11.30 am GMT). So, do join us for the coverage. Remember, the two teams who will come out on top in these games will book their ticket for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year. Cheers!
Sikandar Raza has been named MAN OF THE MATCH FOR HIS BRILLIANT KNOCK! It is his knock which took the game away from USA and he truly deserves this award.
The Zimbabwe bowling came to life after the first 5. Their bowlers really took a pounding before that but once they got the opening wicket, they not only managed to apply the squeeze but also managed to take wickets. Wellington Masakadza was the pick for Zimbabwe but overall, it was a complete performance from them. USA bowled well in the first half in patches but their death bowling really cost them and they need to come out with better plans and execution in the big semi-final that is coming their way.
Quite a convincing win in the end for the hosts! That innings from Sikandar Raza was the difference. Above 180 was always going to be a huge task and they have fallen well short of it. They though got off to to a very good start courtesy their openers. Once that partnership was broken, it all went downward for them. They kept losing wickets in the attempt to fine the boundary and in the end, they have lost by quite a big margin.
In over# 20
1
1
0
1
1
0W
Luke Jongwe 9/1(2)
19.6
1
So just a single to end the game! It has been a comfortable win for Zimbabwe! A yorker again on middle. Saurabh Netravalkar manages to dig it out towards the leg side for a single. Zimbabwe win by 46 runs!
19.5
1
Almost in the blockhole again on middle. Patel digs it out to long on for a single.
19.4
.
Nails a yorker, around leg. Patel looks to dig it out but misses.
19.3
1
Back of a length, around off. Saurabh Netravalkar dabs it towards backward point for a single.
19.2
1
A fuller delivery on middle. Patel works it to the leg side for a single.
19.1
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Luke Jongwe gets a wicket now and eight down now USA! A low full toss on middle. Cameron Stevenson looks to power it away. He, however, gets the bottom of his blade and only manages to hit it wide of extra cover. Craig Ervine runs to his right and takes a fine catch. Saurabh Netravalkar is the next man in.
Luke Jongwe to bowl the last over.
In over# 19
1
1
1
1
4
1
Richard Ngarava 34/1(4)
18.6
1
Bangs it short on middle, angling in. Cameron Stevenson pulls it awkwardly through square leg for a single.
18.5
1
Goes back of a length again, outside off, Nisarg Patel punches it off his back foot past point for a run.
18.4
1
Fuller and outside off, Cameron Stevenson uses his feet and works it to long off for a run.
18.3
1
On a length and on leg, Nisarg Patel pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
18.2
4
FOUR! Nice Shot. This is back of a length on middle and leg, Nisarg Patel clears his back leg and smears it towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.
18.1
1
Serves it full, angling in. Cameron Stevenson goes for the drive but gets an inside edge towards square leg for one.