2nd T20I: India outplay Zimbabwe, clinch series 2-0

Raipur: Opener Shafali Verma clobbered a 25-ball 55 as India dismantled an inexperienced Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women’s T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.

The result of the match was a forgone conclusion once Zimbabwe were restricted to a lowly 102 for eight after they opted to bat first. Shafali and skipper Smriti Mandhana (47 not out) unfurled their elite skills to decimate the tourists during their riveting opening stand, as India chased down the target of 103 in a mere 8.5 overs. It also helped Mandhana begin her full-time captaincy stint with a series triumph.

Shafali, who added 96 runs with Mandhana, reached her fifty in 26 balls by hitting off-spinner Beloved Biza for a six. It was her 22nd half-century in T20Is.

Michelle Mavunga suffered at the hands of the Indian opener, getting creamed for 4, 4, 6 in successive balls.

Mandhana too had her moments when she peeled off four boundaries in a row off pacer Nyasha Gwanzura, indicating her touch on the day. She applied finishing touches to the match with an excellent inside out six off Olinder Chare.

Earlier, Zimbabwe opted to bat and they could only make 102 for 8 from their 20 overs and Niki Prasad (2/7) was the most successful Indian bowler.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe 102 for 8 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 34; Josephine Nkomo 27 not out; Niki Prasad 2/7) lost to India: 104 for 1 in 8.5 overs (Shafali Verma 55, Smriti Mandhana 47 not out; Beloved Biza 1/9) by by nine wickets.

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The Hans India