Agencies
Harare
Buoyed by a convincing win in the series opener, India will look to seal the three-match T20I series when they take on Zimbabwe in the second match here on Saturday.
The seven-wicket victory in the opening game was India’s first under new captain Shreyas Iyer and came after disappointing away series defeats to Ireland (0-2) and England (0-4). The result also gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with a record-breaking 19-ball half-century, becoming the youngest player to score a T20I fifty, while returning pacer Mayank Yadav marked his comeback with impressive figures of 2/18 after a lengthy injury layoff.
India’s pace attack also impressed, with Prince Yadav claiming 2/29 and debutant Ashok Sharma showing encouraging pace despite going wicketless. Head coach VVS Laxman would be pleased with the way the young bowling unit adapted to Harare conditions. Abhishek Sharma, who had launched his T20I career at this venue with a century two years ago, will look to bounce back after a failure in the opener.
MATCH STARTS @4.30 PM
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, need a much-improved batting display after slipping to 26 for three before recovering to 125 for seven, a total that proved well below par. The hosts must find a way to counter India’s pace if they are to keep the series alive ahead of Sunday’s final T20I.
