Sikandar Raza conceded that Zimbabwe’s inability to stick to their defensive plans with the ball proved costly in their 72-run defeat to India in the Super Eights clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. A lack of discipline allowed India’s batters to dominate, powering their way to 256/4.
The defending champions smashed 17 sixes on their way to a commanding 256/4, the highest total of the competition, quelling concerns over their underperforming top order.
Chasing a competitive target of 179, Zimbabwe rode on a strong opening partnership between Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani to lay the foundation.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been shortlisted for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year after a splendid year with the Men in Blue that saw him lift the T20 World Cup in Barbados.
When India reached 289-8 thanks to Gill's outstanding 130 off 97 balls, which included 15 fours and a six, Zimbabwe was out of time in the run chase at 169-7.
This was Zimbabwe's first ODI win against Bangladesh in quite a while after an essential run pursue that saw the guests scoring a mammoth 303/2 preceding Zimbabwe.
Sikandar Raza's decision to join the PSL has come in the middle of the deadly outbreak of COVID-19 which has seen many of the foreigners returning home.
For the islanders, paceman Suranga Lakmal took two wickets as did Dhananjaya de Silva.
