ZIM v NAM | 1st T20I: Ervine, Shumba guide hosts to home in historic game

Left-arm orthodox Milton Shumba's three-wicket haul and brilliant knocks from captain Craig Ervine (55* off 39 deliveries) and Sikander Raza (37 off 30 deliveries) has helped Zimbabwe beat Namibia by seven runs in the 1st T20I in Bulawayo on Tuesday (May 17) afternoon.

Batting first, the home side got off to a flying start in the powerplay despite a sedate 21-ball 15 from opener Regis Chakabva.

Wesley Mahdvere made up for his partner's poor knock as he smashed five boundaries during his whirlwind 12-ball 23.

His knock was eventually ended by left-arm orthodox Bernard Scholtz, who also dismissed Chakabva, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 2-44 in the seventh over.

However, the senior duo of skipper Ervine and Raza proceed to address the sinking ship with a 71-run-stand for the third wicket. The duo took just 9 overs to accumulate those runs before Namibia captain Gehard Erasmus broke the stand.

Ervine, however, made sure he stayed till the end, stroking some lusty blows in the end as Zimbabwe managed 39 in the last 5 to finish at 153.

For Namibia, Scholtz was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/19 in four.

Namibia got off to a blazing start as openers Divan la Cock and Craig Williams hammered 45 runs in the first six overs.

The 67-run stand was finally broken by Brandon Mavuta, who dismissed Williams on the first delivery of his 2nd over for an underwhelming 34-ball 25.

Milton Shumba then got into the act as he dismissed Erasmus (3 off 7 deliveries), Loftie-Eaton (9 off 10 deliveries ) and a dangerous-looking La Cock, who smashed a 43-ball 66 with the help of three fours and five sixes, to leave Namibia on the brink.

The equation eventually boiled down to 34 runs off the last three overs, but the likes of Zane Green (19 off 15 deliveries), and David Wiese (14* off 11 deliveries) could only manage 25.

Zimbabwe eventually romped home by seven runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe - 153/4 in 20 overs

Craig Ervine 55* (39), Sikander Raza 37 (30); 

Bernard Scholtz 2/19 (4)

Namibia - 146/5 in 20 overs

Divan la Cock 66 (43) 

Milton Shumba 3/16 (3)

Zimbabwe won by 7 runs.