Zimbabwe defeated Canada by a massive margin of 175 runs at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. Asked to bat first by Canada, Zimbabwe were off to a disastrous start losing a wicket off the very first ball of the match. Zimbabwe soon lost their second wicket in just the 4th over and Canada were all over them. However, former Captain Tatenda Taibu produced a terrific fighting knock along with left handed Craig Ervine who also batted well to help Zimbabwe recover big time.
Tatenda Taibu was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved century when he got out sweeping leg spinner Balaji Rao. Taibu scored 98 from 99 balls with 9 fours. Craig Ervine who put up a 181-run stand with Taibu came up with a good knock of 85 from 81 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Canada fought back after this third wicket stand by taking wickets but still Zimbabwe got to an impressive total of 298 for 9. Leggie WD Balaji Rao who bowled some rubbish along with some good balls managed to take 4 wickets while going for 57 runs in his 10 overs.
Canada were ordinary with the bat as Ray Price, the left arm spinner who opened the bowling put them under pressure straightaway with three quick wickets. The match was a drag in the second half and Canada eventually got bowled out for a paltry 123 in 42.1 overs. Apart from Price who took three wickets, leggie Graeme Cremer also got three wickets while off spinners Prosper Utseya and Greg Lamb got two wickets each. The Man of the Match was given to Tatenda Taibu who also contributed in the field with two stumpings.
