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India fight back to scrape in to the final
BY : SYED WASEEM AFZAL.
The Bengal Tiger, Sourav Ganguly crossed 6,000 one-day runs as
India scampered to a three-wicket electrifying win over Zimbabwe to qualify
for the final of Coca Cola Champions trophy to be played on Sunday 29, October 2000.
Following on from a disciplined bowling performance, which had restricted
Zimbabwe to a modest 218, India had firm grip over the match as they were expected
to overhaul the target with consumate ease. However, this was not the case
as after a dramatic middle order collapse, India limped to a three wicket victory.
Friend opening the bowling for the first time in the tournament
was awarded with two wickets in his third over. The prize wicket was of
Sachin Tendulkar (4), and second one of Sridharan Sriram (0), who replaced
the injured Rahul Dravid.
The Zimbabwean’s sensed a chance of an unlikely victory as India slipped to 2 for 18.
Vinod Kambli, who was under great pressure to get runs and save his career
was finally amongst runs, scoring 60 runs from 76 balls. He shared a 106 runs stand for the
third wicket with Ganguly who crossed 6000 one day runs.
Sourav Ganguly top scored with 66 from 98 deliveries and put India on the path to victory.
Just when, India was in the driver's seat, Travis Friend returned to the attack and
got the wicket of Ganguly. Three overs later promising Yuvraj Singh (3) picked out
the only fielder on the leg-side boundary. Robin Singh (7) then ran himself out.
Kambli, looking in good nick after making 60 top edged a pull
off the bowling of Flower. This dramatic collapse pushed India to 158 for 6,
with 12 overs remaining.
Dahiya was dismissed by Heath Streak with 19 runs still to get, but
Joshi (25* off 30 balls ) received support from Ajit Agarkar (16 not out)
and both carried the Indians to a hard fought victory.
Young seamer, Travis Friend bowled superbly for Zimbabwe and picked up the wickets
of Sachin Tendulkar, Sridharan Sriram and Ganguly.
Earlier, Alistair Campbell batted throughout Zimbabwe's innings, making 105 not out.
But he received scant support from other batsmen and the Indian bowlers stuck to their
task gamely - Zaheer Khan the pick of them with 4 for 42 off his allotted 10 over.
Grant Flower, opening the innings, made just 10 runs while Pinch-hitter Paul Strang
hit 17 off 24 balls when he fell to a superb catch at mid-on by Zaheer.
Stuart Carlisle went for 20, run out by Yuvraj Singh who dived to his right
at point to stop the ball and threw the ball to the wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya,
who did the honours. Guy Whittall's 26 was the second highest score for Zimbabwe.
Young left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan bowled superbly specially his second
spell was devastating as he bowled yorkers with great accuracy and captured four
wickets for 42 from 10 overs. Venkatesh Prasad returned with two for 38 from his 10.
Friday's Sri Lanka-India match is only a warm up for the final show down as both teams have
already made it to the final.
Click here for full Scorecard.
Thursday, October 26, 2000.
source : UAEcricket.com.
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