Pathan helps India take lead in the series by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Harare Sports Club, Harare
Scorecard:	Zimbabwe v India
Player:	YK Pathan, CJ Chibhabha
Event:	India in Zimbabwe 2010

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DateLine: 12th June 2010

 

The Indian side for the first time in the tour got better of Zimbabwe as they defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets. The win though was not without flaws as they struggled with the bat during the reply. The bowlers were right on the money from ball number one while the batsmen nearly messed up the match for their side.

 

Zimbabwe batting first scored a below par 111 in their 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets. The Indians in reply made 112 for the loss of four wickets in 15 overs.

 

Winning the toss, Raina sent the hosts into bat and his pacers justified the decision. Vinay Kumar removed the openers with some excellent seam bowling before the spinners choked the life out of the contest. Only Chibhabha made any sort of resistance as he made 40 in 35 balls but never kicked into the top gear. Craig Ervine made 30 but he consumed 42 deliveries. The pacers then came back and removed the lower order with some precise yorker length deliveries. Zimbabwe in the end made just 111 in their stipulated 20 overs.

 

India in reply got off to a poor start as they lost the openers cheaply. Raina brought the Indians back into the contest as he played some lusty blows. The Indians then lost the wickets of Raina and Rohit Sharma in quick succession and it seemed that the Indians were facing another defeat.

 

But Yusuf Pathan had other ideas as he changed the complexion of the match with some lusty blows. The match then appeared to head in one direction as Pathan got the visitors across the line with five overs to spare.