World T20 - Day One Review

By Mikey Godsmark

Zimbabwe beat Hong Kong by 14 runs

Zimbabwe got the tournament underway against a Hong Kong side that featured 44 year old Ryan Campbell, a former Australian player capped at ODI level. Hong Kong won the toss and put Zimbabwe in to bat. Hamilton Masakadza got going straight away scoring 15 of the 2^nd over, however it proved to be a mere cameo after a farcical run out. Zimbabwe were only stopped from scoring out of control by some brilliant bowling by Tanwir Afzal who took 2 for 19 of his four overs. Vusi Sibanda carried the innings with his maiden T20I fifty but Zimbabwe were unable to really get going losing wickets at regular intervals. However when it looked like they were limping towards a total of around 140, Elton Chigumbura stepped in scoring 30 runs of just 13 balls leaving Hong Kong a target of 159 to chase down off the 20 overs.

Hong Kong were struggling from the start and off the powerplay scored just 24/1. However, the talented Jamie Atkinson looked very assured and whilst he was still at the crease Hong Kong believed. Atkinson’s 53 was off 44 balls, which when chasing down 159 is a good pace for somebody anchoring the innings. However nobody could stick with him with none of the rest of the top 5 exceeding 20. Afzal followed on his excellent bowling display by charging his way to 31 but it was too little too late and Zimbabwe were reasonably comfortable winners in the end. Hong Kong lost the game at the beginning and end of each innings where they were let down by loose bowling and a lack of experience (through no fault of their own) at facing a higher standard of bowling.

Afghanistan beat Scotland by 14 runs

Afghanistan beat Scotland in the evening game with a score line that makes it looked a lot more convincing that it was. Mohammad Shahzad who scored a magnificent 100 against Zimbabwe recently, looked in fine form was out for 61 in just 39 balls and was well supported by captain Asghar Stanikzai who finished on 55 not out. Alistair Evans bowled well taking 1 for 24 when he had finished. However, Afghanistan always looked reasonably on top with the bat and ended up posting a very respectable score of 170.

In their chase the Scottish opening pair got off to a great start and put on 84 together in less than 9 overs. However, when Coetzer fell for 40, Munsey went a matter of balls later for just one more. With two new batsmen at the crease the Scottish chase slowed and when MacLeod was run out after slipping on this way back for a second the damage was compounded. Scotland never really recovered from this and great bowling from the spinners Nabi and the young Rashid Khan. Afghanistan will be hoping to continue strongly against Hong Kong before a potential group decider against Zimbabwe on Saturday.