Press Trust of India
Nagpur, March 8: Zimbabwe relied on their experience in international cricket to tame a fighting Hong Kong by 14 runs in the opening match of the World Twenty20 Qualifiers at VCA stadium, here Tuesday.
Invited to bat in the Group B contest, Zimbabwe posted 158 for eight and then overcame some anxious moments before managing to restrict the rivals to 144 for six.
Zimbabwe opener Vusimuzi Sibanda (59, 46b, 5×4, 1×6) top scored for his side. Down the order, Elton Chigumbura played an unbeaten cameo of 30 runs that helped the side cross the 150-run mark. Hong Kong skipper Tanwir Afzal (2/19) bowled well for his side and was well-supported by young paceman Aizaz Khan (2/33).
Hong Kong made a sedate start to their chase but accelerated in the middle overs before losing quick wickets towards the fag end to fall short.
Opener Jamie Atkinson (53, 44b, 4×4, 2×6) batted extremely well while skipper Afzal (31, 17b, 3×4, 1×6) looked like taking the match way from Zimbabwe. But their lack of experience showed when they lost quick wickets at the death.
Donald Tiripano (2/27) and Tendai Chatara (2/28) bowled well for Zimbabwe.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 158 for 8 (Vusimuzi Sibanda 59, Elton Chigumbura 30 n o, Tanwir Afzal 2/19) beat Hong Kong 144 for 6 (Jamie Atkinson 53, Tanwir Afzal 31 n o, Donald Tiripano 2/27, Tendai Chatara 2/28) by 14 runs.