Indian openers in record spree

INDIA recorded their highest opening partnership in T20I cricket as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan led them to victory in the opening clash against New Zealand.

The Black Caps weren’t helped by their own fielding, putting down both openers, as the pair each hit 80 to add 158 before the first wicket fell.

Virat Kohli was also shelled on his way to an unbeaten 26 while MS Dhoni smashed a six off his first ball as India set New Zealand 202-3.

And having lost two wickets in the opening four overs, the tourists were never going to get close to chasing the target down. Tom Latham top scored with 39, but wickets fell regularly and New Zealand were defeated by 53 runs.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson said: “We were outplayed in all the areas, fielding included, which is something we pride ourselves on and something we need to be much better at in T20.

“That made the difference as we saw today. That proved to be vital in a lot of ways. Guys went on to score big scores for their side in the Indian team, and 200 on that surface was a very big total.”

David Miller hit the fastest century in Twenty20 international cricket as South Africa beat Bangladesh, reaching his century off just 35 balls as the Proteas ensured they sent the Tigers’ home without a win in any format.

Elsewhere, having won all five ODIs, Pakistan made it a white-ball clean sweep over Sri Lanka winning all three T20 clashes.

Shoaib Malik scored 102 runs in the series which saw the final match be played in Pakistan at Lahore. And Mohammad Amir shone in that game, taking 4-13 off his four overs as the hosts won by 36 runs.

Finally, an unbeaten 91run eighth wicket partnership between Regis Chakabva and Graeme Cremer ensured Zimbabwe drew the second Test with the West Indies, though after losing the first, the Windies won the two match series 1-0.