T20 World Cup: Sikandar Raza restores Zimbabwe's pride, albeit in losing cause

TimesofIndia.com successful New Delhi: "Even though determination are bruises, we volition look to triumph and gain respect," said Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza earlier facing India successful the T20 World Cup Super Eight. But past they were hammered for 256 runs, conscionable days aft being wacked astir for 254 runs by West Indies.

Despite going for 510 runs successful 2 matches, connected the eve of the contention against South Africa, Zimbabwe bowling advisor Courtney Walsh reiterated that their achievements - beating Sri Lanka and Australia successful the radical signifier - cannot beryllium ignored.

"We wanted to marque a connection present and I deliberation the show showed itself," helium said.A time later, Zimbabwe restored their pridefulness and respect by pushing the Proteas astatine the Arun Jaitley Stadium successful New Delhi which witnessed astir 20,000 spectators connected a blistery Sunday afternoon.

Following their 5-wicket win, South Africa person maintained their unbeaten tally successful the tournament. They volition present attack the semi-final against New Zealand, to beryllium played astatine the Eden Gardens successful Kolkata connected March 4, with 7 consecutive wins.Raza, alternatively fittingly, led Zimbabwe's effort successful creating yet different upset successful the competition. He scored 73 from 43 balls, laden with 8 fours and 4 sixes, taking the broadside to 153/7, earlier chipping successful with 3/29 from his 4 overs, including a first-over onslaught to disregard Quinton de Kock and adding to South Africa's troubles with wickets of Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis.

Even though South Africa mislaid 4 wickets successful the archetypal 10 overs, they remained up of the scoring curve, producing 93 runs astatine the halfway mark. With Brevis falling not agelong after, Zimbabwe perchance had crushed to believe. Was different upset successful the offing? Were Zimbabwe connected the cusp of beating their 'big brother'?Those faint hopes were dashed by Tristan Stubbs (unbeaten 21 disconnected 24) and

George Linde

(unbeaten 30 from 21 balls), stitching an unbroken basal of 53 runs from 43 balls.Earlier, Raza's sublime ball-striking stood retired successful an different mean batting show by Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe skipper Raza hammered 73 disconnected 43 balls portion the different batters struggled to find the aforesaid travel against precocious prime pace.The batters, barring Raza, tried to onslaught the likes of Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and the in-form Lungi Ngidi but were unsuccessful.Brief Scores:Zimbabwe: 153/7 successful 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 73; Kwena Maphaka 2/21).South Africa: 154/5 successful 17.5 overs (Ryan Rickelton 31, Dewald Brevis 42, George Linde ; Sikandar Raza 3/29)