Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struck blazing half-centuries as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win Super 8 match to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup, here on Thursday.
Abhishek smashed a brisk 30-ball 55 to provide early momentum, adding 48 runs for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson (24) after Zimbabwe opted to bowl.
Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) chipped in with quickfire contributions before Pandya hammered an unbeaten 23-ball 50 at the death to power India to 256 for four, the highest total of this edition.
Tilak Varma contributed 44 not out from 14 balls as he and Pandya put on an unbroken 84-run stand off just 31 deliveries.
In reply, Brian Bennett top-scored with an unbeaten 97, but Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 for six in their 20 overs.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 24.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava (1/62), Blessing Muzarabani (1/43), Tinotenda Maposa (1/40) and skipper Sikandar Raza (1/29) were among the wickets but struggled to stem India’s attacking onslaught.
Brief scores:
India 256 for 4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1/29).
Zimbabwe 184 for 6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out; Arshdeep Singh 3/24).
South Africa beat WI by nine wickets
South Africa notched up a dominating nine-wicket win over West Indies in a crucial Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
Opting to bowl, South Africa dished out a clinical performance with the pace trio of Kagiso Rabada (2/22), Lungi Ngidi (3/30) and Corbin Bosch (2/31) sharing seven wickets to reduce WI to 83-7 in 11th over.
However, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd smashed 89 off 57 balls for a record eighth wicket stand to lift West Indies to 176 for 8.
In reply, skipper Aiden Markram (82) and Quinton de Kock (47) slaughtered West Indies bowlers with a 95-run opening stand before Ryan Rickelton (45) joined the party as South Africa overhauled the target in just 16.1 overs.
Brief Score:
West Indies: 176 for 8 in 20 overs (Jason Holder 49, Romario Shepherd 52; Kagiso Rabada 2/22, Lungi Ngidi 3/30 and Corbin Bosch 2/31).
South Africa: 177 for 1 in 16.1 overs (Aiden Markram 82 not out, Quinton de Kock 47; Roston Chase 1/46).