In last match of their New Zealand tour, Zimbabwe made a valiant attempt to prevent another win for the home side but Kane Williamson plundered 20 runs in five deliveries to help his side overhaul a 201-run target in the second T20. Having suffered loses in all the five previous internationals, Zimbabwe batted with lot of purpose to reach a respectable total. In reply, New Zealand were helped by contributions from their openers and Brendon McCullum before the last over blitzkrieg ensured they made a clean sweep across formats.
For New Zealand, chasing the big total was never going to be easy. In absence of prolific opener Martin Guptill, who was rested for the game, the job became even more difficult. However, Rob Nicol and Guptill’s replacement, James Franklin provided the ideal start by putting on a century stand in quick time, 103 in 10.1 overs to be precise. While Zimbabwean bowlers erred in length like their counterparts, they also suffered.
Both of them came out all guns blazing and smacked the ball to all corners of the park. Rob Nicol hit four sixes in an entertaining 56-run knock to provide the chase some early impetus. At the other end, James Franklin too cashed-in on some poor bowling. He looked good until an accurate throw from Keegan Meth caught him short. Nevertheless, his bludgeoning 60 runs off just 37 deliveries had put the New Zealand on course.
Brendon McCullum tried to keep the chase going with a brisk 38 but Kyle Jarvis removed him and his brother, Nathan off successive deliveries in the 19th over to peg back the hosts. When Kane Williamson walked in, 21 were needed off 9 deliveries, a tough proposition for a new batsmen. Only seven deliveries were needed though as Williamson carted Shingi Masakadza for two boundaries and a six in the last over to seal the deal in New Zealand’s favour.
Earlier, Elton Masakadza and Brendon Taylor smacked fluent half-centuries in a dominating batting display to power Zimbabwe to 200 for 2; their highest ever score in T20 internationals. While the Kiwi bowlers struggled for control and discipline, the visitors took full toll, smacking eleven sixes and fifteen boundaries in the allotted twenty overs.
After Brendan Taylor elected to bat first, Zimbabwe openers started aggressively by taking attack to the opposition. Hamilton Masakadza targeted Kyle Mills in an early onslaught even as Stuart Matsikenyeri lashed Michael Bates for successive sixes. Sustained hitting from the two meant fifty was brought up in just five overs.
New Zealand pressed spinners into action to stem the flow of runs but Nathan McCullum was treated disdainfully by Masakadza. Ronnie Hira too suffered but he was able to remove Matsikenyeri- caught at long-off for 32. Taylor arrived at the crease in an unfamiliar sitauion as Zimbabwe had put their opponents under pressure for first time on the tour. With Masakadza in full flow, Taylor could afford to settle down before he came into his own.
After Masakadza’s sparkling 62-run knock came to an end, the onus fell on Taylor to finish the innings with a flourish. With Elton Chigumbura for company, the Zimbabwean skipper launched a calculated attack as New Zealand dished out hittable balls generously. The pair put on 79 runs in 41 deliveries to set a stiff target for the hosts. Taylor remained unbeaten on 52-ball 75 that was laced with three sixes and half a dozen boundaries. Chigumbura played the supporting role, scoring about run-a-ball 29.
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