Zimbabwe beat Scotland by 11 runs to register their second consecutive win in the ICC World T20 qualifiers in Nagpur on Thursday.
Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza crashed his way to 12 at the start but a collision led to his dismissal in the third over. His fellow opener Vusi Sibanda set off for a single and, with both batsmen ball-watching, they bumped helmets and Masakadza was run out.
Sibanda needed medical attention after the incident and was clearly affected as he clipped Alasdair Evans to deep square leg where Matt Machan was waiting in the next over.
Zimbabwe’s innings was underpinned by another classy knock on the world stage by left-hander Sean Williams.
The 29-year-old, who averaged 68 in last year’s 50-over World Cup, was in control throughout his innings as he swept his way to his third international T-20 half-century.
Elton Chigumbura was Zimbabwe’s next top scorer, hitting a belligerent 20 at the back end of the innings.
Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans and Safyaan Sharif took two wickets apiece for the Scots, but failed to save their team from elimination from the competition.
“We played really well, the guys are starting to gel and it’s looking positive for us. The boys are believing in themselves more and going out and impressing themselves,” Zimbabwe captain, Hamilton Masakadza said.
“It was a difficult start for us, they bowled well up front and we had the chance to have a crack at the end. We knew we had to be positive, and had that partnership with Richie Berrington gone on another two or three overs, we might have made it,” Scotland captain, Preston Mommsen said.
Zimbabwe, who beat Hong Kong by 14 runs on Tuesday, face Afghanistan in a match which is likely to determine who qualifies to face ICC full members at the World Cup.