The Zimbabwe national cricket team made a losing start to their five match T-20 series against hosts Namibia in Windhoek yesterday.
Namibia coasted to seven wicket win following uncharacteristic batting struggles by the tourists who managed just 121 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
The Chevrons, who regrouped for the first time since losing the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Bulawayo, carried a strong squad for the five-match series.
However, the locals' uncharacteristic struggle with the bat in which they lost openers, Nick Welch and captain Craig Ervine, saw them start on the backfoot.
Welch, whose form in the domestic circuit earned him a call up into the senior men's national team, was out on the first ball of the match for a golden duck. He was caught behind by Namibian wicketkeeper, Zane Green off the bowling of Ben Shikongo.
Soon it was 2 for 2 after Ervine was caught by Shikongo for a six-ball duck off Gerhard Erasmus off the fourth ball of the second over.
Keep Reading
- It’s all about hard and smart work, says in form Raza
- ZC hits out at ‘deceitful, greedy’ Taylor
- ERVINE POSITIVE DESPITE POOR END TO SRI LANKA TOUR
- It’s all about hard and smart work, says in form Raza
Sikandar Raza tried to rescue the situation with 39 runs while Luke Jongwe was unbeaten on 22 runs with Wessly Madhevere also scoring 22 as Zimbabwe totalled 121 for 9 in their allotted overs.
Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Faraz Akram, Richard Ngarava and Tendai Chatara all failed to reach double figures.
Namibia batted sensible as if they were using a different track with the one used by the Chevrons. They easily chased down Zimbabwe's total inside 13.4 overs for the loss of three wickets reaching 122 for 3.
Nikolaas Davin scored a 44 ball 80 to propel Namibia to the massive win after hitting six boundaries and one maximum.
Ngarava took two wickets for Zimbabwe while Jongwe got one as the tourists failed to put pressure on the hosts.
The two teams square off again today for the second match as they prepare for the International Cricket Council T-20 World Cup qualifiers in Namibia next month.