Zimbabwe stun India

The shorter the contest, the tighter the contest. Zimbabwe, outclassed in all three ODIs, pulled off their second successive 20-over win over India, shading a match of exceedingly tiny margins by two runs to go 1-0 up in the T20I series at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

It came down to India captain MS Dhoni and what he could do with the last ball, as it has so many times in his career. India needed four, and Neville Madziva bowled a wide slower ball. Dhoni, jumping across to reach it, slapped it wide of deep point, but could not generate enough power to beat the fielder. He simply moved a few yards to his right and kept India's captain to a single, sparking wild celebrations among the home team players.

It was like rising from the ashes for Zimbabwe, who failed to score more than 168 in the ODIs, but on Saturday they appeared to rediscover their joy for the game and posted 170 for six on the back of Elton Chigumbura's unbeaten 54.

Manish Pandey led India's reply with his 48, but Zimbabwe chipped away at the visitors to restrict them to 168 for six and win by two runs.