The West Indies survived a disastrous run-out and late-order Zimbabwe fireworks to snare a crucial 31-run victory in the T20 World Cup on Wednesday night.
The West Indies, who had suffered a shock defeat to Scotland in their first game of the tournament, again descended into a mess midway through their innings at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval.
In a passage of play that saw the two-time champions lose four wickets for only 11 runs, their demise was summed up superbly when Johnson Charles was run out in the 13th over.
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The West Indies overcame a disastrous run-out and late-order Zimbabwe scare to collect a crucial T20 World Cup win on Wednesday night. (Steve Bell/ICC via Getty Images)
Rovman Powell cut the ball directly to Zimbabwe’s point fielder and Charles took off, but he was turned away three quarters of the way down the wicket and slipped as he tried to scurry back.
Charles lost grip of his bat, Tony Munyonga threw the ball to the bowler’s end and Sean Williams whipped off the bails, by which point Charles had given up trying to return to his crease.
Powell, staring down the wicket at his batting partner, looked like he’d seen a ghost.
“Goodness me!” Pommie Mbangwa said in commentary.
“Can you believe that? Zimbabwe will celebrate. Calamity for the West Indies.”
Despite the mid-innings collapse, the West Indies — who had crumbled to 6-101 — recovered to post 7-153.
The West Indies and Zimbabwe played out a gripping contest at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. (Steve Bell/ICC via Getty Images)
The Zimbabweans had opened their campaign with a victory over Ireland, but at 7-92 in the West Indies clash found themselves in a dire spot.
No.8 batter Luke Jongwe struck 29 runs from 22 balls as hope of an incredible comeback grew, but a spectacular Alzarri Joseph yorker destroyed his stumps and any chance Zimbabwe had of winning.
All four teams in group B — Scotland, Zimbabwe, the West Indies and Ireland — have registered one win, with Scotland currently topping the table due to a superior net run-rate.
In the remaining group B games, Ireland will meet the West Indies and Scotland will face Zimbabwe.
The top two teams from group A and the top two sides from group B will advance to the super-12 stage.
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Source by wwos.nine.com.au
