World T20 2016 Match 1 Review: Zimbabwe draw first blood

Zimbabwe got the ball rolling in the inaugural match of the World T20 2016 with an impressive 14-run win over Hong Kong at Nagpur. All eyes were on Ryan Campbell as the 44-year-old former Australian wicketkeeper batsman made his World T20 debut. Despite earning his reputation with his impressive glove work, he bowled all his four overs.

Winning the toss, Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Mazakadza decided to bat first. Perhaps, upon seeing the dryness of the wicket, Mazakadza’s confidence in his batting order grew. He found himself walk out to the middle with compatriot Vusi Sibanda. The Zimbabwean skipper began to whack the ball with a stern ferocity unseen before by a Zimbabwe opening batsman. He struck three boundaries and a six in his compilation of 20. However, his 13 ball inning was cut short when he was run out by Babar Hayat. Richmond Mutumbami, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza were the next to follow Mazakadza as they fell cheaply courtesy of some tight bowling and extraordinary fielding from Hong Kong.

With the score at 62-4 and the 7^th over completed, it just seemed as though Hong Kong may well have a chance to overwhelm the group favorites. Malcolm Waller played with composure and finesse, rotating the strike with considerable ease. Vusi Sibanda, clearly the set batsman at the middle, faced up to the Hong Kong attack in the 61 run partnership with Waller. Sibanda however, failed to carry the bat as he was removed by Aizaz Khan. Elton Chigambura’s final onslaught played a major part in helping Zimbabwe in reaching a competitive total of 158-7. When Chigambura was finished, he had smashed 30 off just 13 balls, with 3 sixes to his name. Tanwir Afzal was the pick of the bowlers as he ended up with impressive figures of 2/19 in his 4 overs.

The much anticipated Ryan Campbell came out to get the ball rolling for Hong Kong as he smashed a crisp boundary. His comeback was however short lived when he was removed cheaply by Donald Tiripano. Wicketkeeper batsman Jamie Atkinson held the Hong Kong innings together as he smashed a wonderfully compiled 53. Left hander Mark Chapman signaled the intent with a few impactful whacks to the fence. However, he was caught by Sikandar Raza attempting one big hit too many.

Skipper Tanwir Afzal came out to bat with the score at 75-3 and showed his intent immediately by smashing a massive six over long on. Despite the loss of the wicket of Jamie Atkinson, Afzal smashed the ball a long way on many an occasion, scoring 31 off 17 balls. Some magnificent death bowling from Tendai Chatara ensured that the target would be a bit too much for Hong Kong. The match concluded with Zimbabwe winning by 14 runs.

Brief Scorer

Zimbabwe – 158/7 in 20 overs (Sibanda 59; Afzal 2/19)

Hong Kong – 141/7 in 20 overs (Atkinson 53; Tiripano 2/27)

Man of the Match: Vusi Sibanda (Zimbabwe)