Zimbabwe earned their first points in the ICC World Cup 2011 today, after they comfortably defeated Canada by a huge 175 runs. Canada were all-out for just 123 runs, chasing Zimbabwe 298/9 in 50 overs.
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision appeared to have backfired when Zimbabwe were reduced to 7/2 in the fourth over. Brendan Taylor (0) and Charles Coventry (4) were both leg before to Khurram Chohan and Harvir Baidwan respectively. However, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine the Zimbabweans back into the game with a spirited partnership. The duo added 181 runs for the third wicket in just under 27 overs.
Ervine scored 85 runs off 81 balls with six fours and two sixes. Taibu was unlucky to miss on his maiden World Cup ton when he was out for 98 runs. He played 99 balls and hit nine boundaries. Canada hit back through Balaji Rao, who picked up three wickets in quick time including Taibu and Ervine as Zimbabwe lost four wickets for the addition of just 31 runs. For Canada, Balaji Rao picked up 4/57 while Chohan (2/44) and Baidwan (2/47) chipped in with two wickets each.
Canada started their chase in bizarre fashion losing three of their top order batsmen with only seven runs on the board. John Davison disappointed Canadian fans with yet another duck. Ruvindu Gunasekara and Jimmy Hansra added 43 runs for the fourth wicket but both fell on the same score to leave Canada reeling at 50/5. Gunasekara scored 24 runs from 64 balls while Hansra hit 20 runs off 41 balls.
Zubin Surkari top-scored for Canada with 26 runs that came from 48 balls with two boundaries. For Zimbabwe, Ray Price picked up 3/16 from his eight overs while Graeme Cremer (3/31) too picked up three wickets. Prosper Utseya (2/24) and Greg Lamb (2/29) picked up two wickets each. Taibu was declared the man of the match for his 98 runs.