Raza masterclass guides Zimbabwe to last ball win

Sikandar raza Zimbabwe Cricket | Wonder Images

Namibia 198/3 in 20 overs (Michael van Lingen 67, Nikolaas Davin 60, Gerhard Erasmus 38; Ryan Burl 1/30, Tendai Chatara 1/31)

Zimbabwe 200/5 in 20 overs (Raza 82, Innocent Kaia 37, Gehrard Erasmus 2-29, JJ Smit 1-16)

Zimbabwe won by five wickets

Zimbabwe have leveled series against Namibia after his Sikandar Raza 82 runs off 35 balls exploits helped guide his side to five wicket victory at the Wanderers in Namibia

Zimbabwe won the toss again and chose to bowl.

Michael van Lingen put the sword to them, leading his side 100 after just 8.1 overs.

Carl Mumba was particularly poor, his short and wide deliveries dispatched with ease. But to be fair everyone went for much, until van Lingen was removed by Ryan Burl.

A score that looked to glide past the record 229 conceded by Zimbabwe in a T20I looked on the offing, but Namibia were never really able to get going.

That was much due to the tight bowling of Ainsley Ndlovu, who went at 6.75 for his four overs and Tendai Chatara was a 7.75 for his.

The hosts did not quite to 200, but it was close enough.

To win this match Zimbabwe needed to score their fifth highest T20I score.

Nicholas Welch showed glimpses of the promise he holds for Zimbabwe at the international level, finally scoring his first runs and some. He would depart for 25 off 19, having cracked four fours off his bat.

Craig Ervine came in and there was a bit of a struggle in getting on in his partnership with Innocent Kaia. Ervine departed for 10.

Even then, the run rate was running off.

The trick then changed, when Innocent Kaia in the 11th over sent two fours and a six in consecutive balls. He would fall in the same over, but the message was clear. Zimbabwe were now having a go.

Ryan Burl made seven and it seemed there may be a struggle.

But Raza had more than a perfect foil on the other hand, in their 55-run partnership. Madhevere’s 23 off just 12 proved critical.

But Raza is the name they will sing in the streets.

Zimbabwe needed 18 off the final over. They ended up making 19. 17 were off Raza’s bat, including a four off the final ball, when the team needed three runs.

That is their fourth highest T20I score.

The two teams now play their third of five matches in the series on Friday.

The video below shows the Zimbabwe squad and the tour itinerary