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Zim draw Test, but lose series

Sport
HALF centuries by man-of-the-match Sikandar Raza and under-pressure wicketkeeper batsman Regis Chakabva ensured Zimbabwe held on for a commendable draw in the second Test against the West Indies at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

HALF centuries by man-of-the-match Sikandar Raza and under-pressure wicketkeeper batsman Regis Chakabva ensured Zimbabwe held on for a commendable draw in the second Test against the West Indies at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO IN BULAWAYO

The result meant the West Indies, who won the first Test by 117 runs, and looked well poised to complete a series whitewash in the end settled for a 1-0 series win.

For the hosts, it was their first draw in a Test match in 12 years while they also managed to avoid defeat in the longer version of the game for the first time in 10 Tests since beating Pakistan since 2013.

Resuming their second innings on 140 for four and with a lead of 18 runs on the final day Zimbabwe dug deep to bat late in the final session, finishing on 301 for seven and a lead of 179 runs.

At the close of play Chakabva was unbeaten on 71 off 192 balls accompanied by captain Graeme Cremer (28*) as the pair batted together for 48, 4 overs in an unbroken eighth wicket partnership stand of 91 runs which frustrated the Windies bowlers.

The hero of the match for Zimbabwe was Raza, who was named after he made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean and only the second player in Test history after South African great Jacques Kallis to score consecutive 80 in a Test match and claim a five-wicket haul.

“Feels good to draw after 12 years because we came from behind,” Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer said after the match.

“Raza was exceptional, especially with the ball. It’s not his job to take a five-for, but he did it and he didn’t give away many runs. And then with the bat, just shows how good an all-rounder he is,” Cremer said.

Raza fought gallantly during his innings of 89 off 203 balls which lasted over three hours and included six boundaries and a six. Together with PJ Moor (42) they added 98 for the fifth wicket before the latter was caught at gully by Shai Hope off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel.

Malcolm Waller’s poor run of form continued as he lasted just 43 balls for his 15 and alarm bells should have started ringing when Raza’s hopes of a career second Test century when he was clean bowled by the Windies skipper Jason Holder, two overs after lunch.

Suddenly the Windies, having already won the first Test by 117 runs looked well poised to complete a series whitewash.

And up stepped Chakabva, who had been under pressure due to his poor form with the bat and mistakes behind the stumps led Zimbabwe’s stubborn resistance with his fourth Test half century in Test as the match petered into a draw.

Chakabva reserved his best for last with a gutsy 71 off 192 balls which included five fours while Cremer faced 150 for his 28. In the end a draw seemed a fair result for the two teams, although Zimbabwe will be a bit disappointed at the missed opportunity to register their first Test win in four years.

After winning the toss and electing to bat Zimbabwe, led by Hamilton Masakadza’s brilliant 147 and half centuries by Moor (52) and Raza (80) recovered from a slow start to post a competitive 326 in the first innings.

The hosts were well on top when they reduced the Windies to 230 for seven until several missed chances in the field allowed Holder and Shane Dowrich put on a record 212-run partnership which gave the Windies a 112-run first innings lead.

After a number of soft dismissals Zimbabwe found themselves 23 for 3 in their second innings before an assured batting display by the middle order provided the platform for them to hold on for a deserved draw.