Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE Zimbabwe men’s cricket team, the Chevrons, suffered a demoralising 8-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the ongoing T20I Tri-Series at Harare Sports Club this Friday.
The Chevrons’ poor performances continued after going down to New Zealand in their second match of the Tri-series.
Zimbabwe lost their first match to South Africa and are the only winless team in the mini-tournament.
This Friday, Zimbabwe were put in to bat by the visitors and got off to a flying start, putting up 11 runs in the first over.
The Chevrons continued to score at a brisk pace, reaching 36 without loss after 5 overs, with Brian Bennett scoring 21 and Wessly Madhevere 14.
The hosts lost Bennett for 21 and at the halfway point, they were 61/2, with Madhevere on 29 while Captain Sikandar Raza was still to trouble the scorers.
As has become the norm, Zimbabwe fizzled out for 120 with the middle order failing to fire.
Chasing a low total, New Zealand got to the target with a quarter of the match to spare, losing just two wickets along the way.
The Chevrons will play South Africa this Sunday, needing nothing short of victory.
Zimbabwe is at the bottom of the three-team table, without a point, while New Zealand leads the pack with 4 points, followed by South Africa with 2 points.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe women’s cricket team, the Lady Chevrons, are in Ireland for a three-match T20I series and a two-match ODI series, which begins this Sunday.
