Milton Shumba Guides Zimbabwe to a Spectacular Series Win

A quick half-century from Milton Shumba – the first of his T20I career – led Zimbabwe to a six-wicket win against Scotland in Edinburgh. 178 sets for victory, Zimbabwe chased down the target with five balls to spare to seal the three-match series 2-1.

Zimbabwe Started Their Chase Well:

Zimbabwe started their chase well, thanks to a 60-run opening stand between Regis Chakabwa (25) and captain Craig Ervine (25). However, both the batsmen fell early and Zimbabwe soon found themselves precariously standing at 63 for 3 in the 10th over, needing 115 runs from just 64 balls.

Shumba and Wesley Madhevere then stabilized the innings keeping the scoreboard in check, but the pair struggled to find boundaries initially. Zimbabwe could manage just five runs between the 10th and 16th overs. And eventually found himself staring at the required run rate of 14.

Their Pace Changed Decisively in the 17th Over:

Zimbabwe’s pace changed decisively in the 17th over. Which was bowled by Alasdair Evans, who had conceded only 15 runs till then. Shumba smashed Evans for three consecutive sixes before Madhevere added a fourth as the visitors took 25 runs off the bowler. Shumba and Madhevere scored 14 runs off Safyan Sharif. Which means Zimbabwe needed just 17 runs in the last two overs.

Madhevere was eventually run out for 43, ending a 99-run fourth-wicket partnership. But Shumba remained unbeaten on 66 and took Zimbabwe home. Shumba hit a total of two fours and six sixes.

Earlier, Scotland had opted to bat. Who scored 177 for 4 in opener George Munsey’s innings of 54 runs in 30 balls. Scotland were troubled at 77 for 3 in the ninth over, but easy knocks from Richie Berrington (44) and Callum McLeod took the team to a competitive total.

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