Raza Closes in on Kohli as Zimbabwe End India’s Dream Run In a stunning upset, Zimbabwe stunned India by three runs in the opening T20I at Harare Sports Club. The victory snapped India’s nine-match winning streak in the format. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza played a pivotal role in the triumph, scoring a brilliant 70 runs off just 46 deliveries. His innings included six fours and two maximums, guiding Zimbabwe to a competitive total of 156/5. In reply, India lost an early wicket, but the experienced Rohit Sharma (40) and Virat Kohli (15) steadied the innings. However, the middle order collapsed under pressure from Zimbabwe’s impressive bowling attack. Brandon Mavuta dismissed Sharma and Hardik Pandya in quick succession, while Regis Chakabva stumped Kohli. The wickets left India struggling at 92/5. Despite a valiant effort from Axar Patel, who scored an unbeaten 31, India fell short by a narrow margin. The defeat marked their first loss in a T20I since February 2022. Raza’s performance was particularly notable, as he moved to within 40 runs of Kohli’s record for the most runs in T20Is. The Zimbabwean, who has amassed 2236 runs, is now within striking distance of surpassing the Indian legend. Zimbabwe’s victory was a significant one for the nation, as it ended India’s dominance in the format. The result will give the African team confidence heading into the remaining matches of the series. India, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and prove that their recent struggles were merely a blip. The second T20I will take place on Saturday, August 20, at the same venue.India’s Impressive Winning Streak EndsIndia’s Impressive Winning Streak Ends India’s impressive streak of 12 consecutive international wins across formats came crashing down in a surprise upset against Zimbabwe in Harare. Key Statistics from the Match: – 2: India became the second T20 world champion to lose their first T20I after winning the title. – 116: India failed to reach the lowest target they have ever failed to reach in a men’s T20I. – 12: India’s consecutive wins in international matches were the longest winning streak for either team across formats. – 12: India had gone unbeaten in 12 T20I matches before their loss to Zimbabwe. – 102: India’s total against Zimbabwe was their second-lowest in a run chase in a men’s T20I. – 15: Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean captain, won his 15th Man of the Match award in T20Is, placing him among the most decorated players in the format. – 7: A total of seven batsmen were dismissed for a duck in the match, making it one of the most chaotic innings in T20I history. – 25*: Clive Madande and Tendai Chatara formed a 25-run partnership for the 10th wicket for Zimbabwe, with Madande scoring all the runs.Zimbabwe stunned India in the first Twenty20 International in Harare on Thursday, ending the visitors’ 12-match winning streak in the format. Sikandar Raza starred for Zimbabwe with a blistering 40 off just 24 balls, while Axar Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3/17. Chasing 176 to win, Zimbabwe got off to a solid start with Wessly Madhevere and Craig Ervine putting on 61 for the first wicket. Madhevere fell for 43, but Ervine continued to anchor the innings, finishing unbeaten on 54. Raza provided the impetus in the middle overs, smashing three fours and two sixes in his whirlwind knock. Sean Williams (28) and Ryan Burl (23) also made useful contributions as Zimbabwe reached their target with three balls to spare. Earlier, India had posted a competitive total of 175/5 thanks to a fine innings of 57 from Shubman Gill. Ishan Kishan (35) and Deepak Hooda (26) also chipped in with useful knocks. However, the Indian bowlers were unable to defend their total, with Raza leading the way for Zimbabwe with the bat. The victory was Zimbabwe’s first over India in a T20I since 2015 and it will give them a huge confidence boost ahead of the second game of the series on Saturday. It also means that Raza is now just 26 runs behind Virat Kohli in the all-time list of T20I runs scored.