Masakadza bowls Zimbabwe to Scotland win

Wellington Masakadza’s (four for 28) slow left arm spin wove quite a tangled web as Zimbabwe snuffed out Scotland’s challenge in its group B qualifying match of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier at the VCA Stadium on Thursday evening. Replying to Zimbabwe’s 147 for seven, the Scots fell short by 11 runs.

Zimbabwe's Wellington Masakadza celebrates the wicket of Safyaan Sharif at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur on Thursday.

Wellington Masakadza’s (four for 28) slow left arm spin wove quite a tangled web as Zimbabwe snuffed out Scotland’s challenge in its group B qualifying match of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier at the VCA Stadium on Thursday evening. Replying to Zimbabwe’s 147 for seven, the Scots fell short by 11 runs.

If Zimbabwe had lost wickets early, Scotland suffered so much more on that score, stuttering at 22 for four just after four overs. George Munsey, sweeping the wrong way once too often, got too adventurous, stepping out to Wellington to be stumped in a trice by Richard Mutumbami.

>Full scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Mathew Cross was caught behind while Matt Machan holed out to substitute Chamu Chibhabha at mid-on. The catch of the contest was Sikandar Raza’s acrobatic leap to his right to clasp a chance from Kyle Coetzer. Zimbabwe’s famed fielding prowess was visible; its catching matched by equally splendid ground fielding.

Preston Mommsen’s sixth wicket stand with Richie Berrington yielding 51 runs stabilised Scotland before its skipper was picked up by substitute Chibhabha, again falling prey to Wellington’s guiles. Shortly after, Berrington fell and the tail tamely folded.

Groggy Sibanda

After Zimbabwe chose to bat first, Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza’s bumbling head-on collision felled the former for six minutes and got the latter run out. A ‘disabled’ Sibanda departed soon after, pulling Alasdair Evans to Machan at square leg. Mutumbami’s inside out drive popped out of Michael Leask’s palms. The long off latched on to the chance nevertheless with his right hand.

Though weakened by frequently falling wickets, Zimbabwe kept the runs coming in. Sean Williams lent much needed strength to his side’s cause, reverse sweeping often to half a dozen boundaries for a 36-ball 53. His pull off Safyaan Sharif’s full toss got only as far as Evans at backward square leg. Amidst Scotland’s sloppy fielding, skipper Mommsen’s stunning overhead catch to send back Elton Chigumbura stood out.

The score:

Zimbabwe 147 for seven (Sean Williams 53; Alasdair Evans two for 30, Mark Watt two for 21, Safyaan Sharif two for 31) bt Scotland 136 (Richie Berrington 36, Preston Mommsen 31; Wellington Masakadza four for 28, Tendai Chatara two for 24, Donald Tiripano two for 20).