THE Zimbabwe cricket team rose from the ashes to pull off an absolutely shocking two-run victory over visiting India to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 International at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE

Man-of-the-match Elton Chigumbura smashed a brisk half century to help Zimbabwe post a competitive target of 171, their best score with the bat of the series, to give the hosts a chance of winning the match.

Then, bowler Neville Madziva bowled an unbelievable last over in which the Indians needed just eight runs to win as he took one wicket, conceding five runs as the visitors fell short on 168/6.

Zimbabwe, ignominiously whitewashed in the One Day International series, finally turned to play cricket and recorded yet another famous T20 victory and the first under coach Makhaya Ntini

It was a refreshing performance by the Zimbabwean team, typical of a group that has borne the shame of humiliating defeats and skipper Graeme Cremer could not hide his relief after the match.

“Excellent to come back from the losses in ODI series, a lot of pressure is off me now,” Cremer said after registering his first win since taking over the captaincy duties. “We are not going to stop here, we know Elton can always be dangerous. He is one innings away from doing something special again,” he said.

Chigumbura clubbed seven sixes and a boundary as he equalled his T20 cricket best score of 54 and his knock came at the back of two consecutive ducks in the second and third matches of the One Day International series.

Malcom Waller was the second highest scorer with the bat hammering 30 runs from just 21 balls.

India captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni had earlier won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat first as Hamilton Masakadza (15) and Chamu Chibhabha (20) strung together a 33 run opening stand.

With Richmond Mutumbami retired hurt with scoring, Sikandar Raza contributed 20 runs, making him the only other player to reach double figures.

The Indian chase got off to the worst possible start and of course a dream start for Zimbabwe with Donlad Tiripano bowling out of form batsmen Lokesh Rahul, making his hit T20 debut for a golden off the very first ball.

Chibhabha, who bowled with the discipline of a top class bowler, then snared the wickets of Ambatu Rayudu (19) and Mandeep Singh (31), leaving the visitors on 53/3 in the sixth over.

India began to feel the heat for the first time in this tour when Taurai Muzarabani accounted for Kedha Jadhav and for the first time Dhoni took to the crease to bat.The legendary captain looked to have rescued the match for India with a 53-run partnership with Manish Pandey until Muzarabani once again removed the latter for 48.

India were struggling on 143/5, but there was drama in the final over as the visitors needed eight runs from the final over.

Madziva accounted for Axar Patel with the second ball of the last over to give the hosts momentum and some good death bowling saw him concede five runs.

India needed three runs from the last ball to claim victory, but Madziva was full and wide outside off to Dhoni who could only find the fielder and scurry for a single run and hand Zimbabwe a famous triumph.

Five India players Rishi Dhawan, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, KL Rahul, and Yuzvendra Chahal were making their T20 debuts.

The T20 series continues tomorrow at Harare Sports Club.