ZIMBABWE'S Under-19 cricket team suffered a 204 - run defeat against India in their opening Super 6 match of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup yesterday.
Despite the loss, the Zimbabwean team showed glances of brilliance, particularly in their bowling and fielding efforts.
However, the defeat means that the hosts can no longer progress beyond the Super 6 stage and into the semi finals.
Zimbabwe won the toss and restricted India to 352/8, with seamer Tatenda Chimugoro taking three wickets for 49 runs.
Captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere and Panashe Mazai also chipped in with two wickets each, while Druv Patel picked one.
Chimugoro's spell was a combination of speed and precision, causing problems for the Indian batsmen.
India's innings was marked by a 100-run partnership between Abhigyan Kundu and Viaan Malhotra, who scored an unbeaten 104 runs. Malhotra's century anchored India's batting, and they posted a formidable 352/8.
In response, Zimbabwe's batsmen struggled to get going, with Leeroy Chiwaula top-scoring with 62 runs. His innings included seven boundaries and a maximum, and he featured in crucial partnerships with Kian Blignaut (37) and Chimugoro (29).
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First it was a 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Blignaut and 49 for the fifth wicket.
But his dismissal after 33.4 overs which left Zimbabwe on 142/5 triggered a collapse. Zimbabwe lost five wickets for six runs in 20 balls, and the team was bowled out for 148.
The hosts play their final match against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
