Elton Chigumbura struck a fluent half-century as Zimbabwe notched up a five-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in a qualifying match to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Championships on Friday.
Set a modest target of 116 after opting to bowl, Zimbabwe lost early wickets before pulling through in13.4 overs courtesy a fine effort by Chigumbura, who remained unbeaten on 53.
Chigumbura struck half a dozen fours and three sixes in his fiery knock, which came off just 21 deliveries. The African side needed to win the match in 15.4 overs to go past Ireland in net run-rate to remain afloat in Group B.
Chigumbura ensured that the team managed to win it within the stipulated overs. They now have to hope for an Irish loss to the Netherlands later on Friday.
For the UAE, Guruge was the most successful bowler, grabbing 2/18 in his four overs.
Earlier, the UAE crumbled miserably with wicket-keeper Swapnil Patil’s 27-ball 30 being the only highlight of their batting effort.
His 58-run stand with Khurram Khan (26) for the third-wicket was the lone steady partnership, which the UAE innings witnessed.
Patil struck five boundaries in his knock before being trapped lbw by Sikander Raza, who grabbed two wickets in his three overs.
Kamran Shazad stood out with a 15-ball, 21 which was laced with a four and a couple of sixes, which came in the final over of the UAE innings.
Left-arm spinner Sean Williams was once again the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, snaring three wickets while conceding merely 15 runs in his quota of four overs.
