India finish off Zimbabwe tour with huge win

Harare, Jun 13 (PTI) Skipper Suresh Raina led from the
front with a blistering 72 as India signed off their Zimbabwe
tour with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over the hosts in
the second and final Twenty20 International here on Sunday.
Chasing 141, India made 144 for three in 18 overs at the
Harare Sports Club ground with Raina dispatching Chris Mpofu
to boundary for the winning runs.
Tatenda Taibu earlier top-scored with 45 and shared a
43-run stand for the fourth wicket with Charles Coventry (28
off 13) to steer Zimbabwe to 140 for five.
Raina stepped on to the field after the fall of Naman
Ojha (10) in fifth over and stayed till the job was done.
Along with Murali Vijay (46), Raina shared a 79-run stand
for the second wicket, which set up the second comfortable
Indian win in as many days.
Raina's 44-ball knock had six fours and two sixes in it.
After an ordinary show in the three-week tour, Vijay
finally got some runs under his belt and the Chennai batsman
would be relived after playing a good hand in the Indian win.
Vijay and skipper Suresh Raina batted with ease and were
hardly troubled by the host bowlers.
Vijay missed out on his half-century when he attempted a
big shot but off Chamu Chibhabha and his checked shot landed
in the hands of Graeme Cremer in the 15th over.
Raina continued the good work and carried the team home
just after losing another partner in Yusuf Pathan (4).
India's consecutive win, after a lacklustre show in the
ODI tri-series, would do a world of good to the confidence of
its youngsters just ahead of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.
Earlier, confident of chasing down whatever the hosts
would put on board, Raina yet again invited the hosts to bat
but despite having them in clutches they leaked too many runs
in the second half to allow them a come back in the match.
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