Zimbabwe thrash Kenya

In the 1st One day International at Mombasa in the current season , Zimbabwe defeated Kenya by 109 runs. Initially, Zimbabwe amassed 306 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. This became possible due to the knocks of Elton Chigumbura (he made 79 in 38 balls), Vusi Sibanda (77) and Hamilton Masakadza (71). While chasing this huge target, Kenya had to face 4 dismissals in the initial 16 overs. Jimmy Kamande was the lone battler with 74, but he did not receive sufficient support. Out of the previous 22 matches between these two countries, Zimbabwe has won 15 times. However, in the recent 4 matches, they lost thrice to Kenya.

Zimbabwe batting

Sibanda and Masakadza gave Zimbabwe a good opening partnership of 111 runs in 21.1 overs. Masakadza was very aggressive and scored 71 runs in 61 deliveries inclusive of 11 boundaries and 1 sixer. Sibanda kept the scoreboard moving with ones and twos and took full advantage of any deliveries straying on the leg side. When he reached his fifty, he smashed a sixer over long on. After Hiren Varaiya broke this partnership, 2 dismissals were made by Steve Tikolo and the scoreboard read 188 for 4. Thereafter, began a breathless assault of Chigumbura. He completed his half century in only 28 deliveries. Then, he clobbered two more boundaries and surpassed his previous best of 77, which was made against Bangladesh in 2007. His knock of 79 included 7 sixers and 3 fours.

From the Kenyan team, Kamande showed some resistance and faced 86 balls to accrue 74 runs. During this knock, he hit 2 sixers and 6 fours.