Scots throw it away as Zimbabwe hit back to set up a T20 decider

Scotland tossed away the chance to wrap up their T20 Series against Zimbabwe last night as the visitors claimed a revenge win at The Grange, Edinburgh.

Despite a horror start to their chase of 137, Kyle Coetzer’s men were cruising after a stand of 75 between Richie Berrington and Matthew Cross put them in control.

But a cluster of wickets fell in the final overs as the visitors grasped their chance.

The Scots suffered a disastrous start as skipper Coetzer and Oli Hairs fell off consecutive deliveries from Richard Ngarava to slump to 11-2 in the second over.

It got worse at the double as George Munsey, who had belted a big six in the first over, departed to be followed soon after by Calum MacLeod and at 16-4 Scotland were staring at humiliation.

Other than Munsey’s maximum, they managed a solitary boundary in the powerplay, finishing the first six overs on 26-4 as Berrington and Cross attempted to repair the damage.

They managed a stand of 75 in 10 overs as Wednesday’s hero Berrington led the way with two 4s and two 6s in a 43-ball 42 before holing out.

Cross managed the same tally from 35 balls but his departure sparked a second and fatal collapse as Scotland fell to 126 all out in the final over.

Earlier the Scottish bowlers cashed-in as Zimbabwe’s top order committed cricketing suicide.

Ali Evans was first to strike in the second over when Innocent Kaia chased a wide delivery and edged to Cross.

Mark Watt looked as if he might take some punishment when Regis Chakabwe hoisted his first delivery for a straight six.

However, the spinner hit back two balls later when Chakabwe attempted a repeat and miscued to Evans.

And the Scots were gifted a third wicket when Wessley Madhevere ran himself out without facing a ball.

Skipper Craig Ervine and the experienced Sean Williams, steadied the visitors with a halfcentury stand but neither was able to dominate a miserly Scottish attack.

Ervine managed just two boundaries in his 30 before spooning a catch to Coetzer off Michael Leask but Williams went on to play the major knock his team desperately needed.

The left-hander got lucky with a couple of inside edges early on but found his touch to make an unbeaten 60 with five boundaries and one maximum as Zimbabwe posted 136-5.

Safyaan Sharif and Leask were Scotland’s most effective bowlers, conceding just 21 and 23 runs respectively from their four overs.

Zimbabwe’s win sets up a series decider tomorrow.

Matthew Cross had helped put Scotland in control.