Teja Nidamanuru blasted 110 not out to help the Netherlands beat Zimbabwe in the first one-day international on Tuesday, as the allrounder salvaged his team when it appeared to be doomed.
Nidamanuru’s counterattacking first ODI century, which included nine fours and three sixes, enabled the Dutch comeback from 110-6 to chase down Zimbabwe’s 249 all out with one ball remaining at Harare Sports Club.
The Netherlands won by three wickets after scoring 255-7.
Even with Nidamanuru’s outstanding effort, his side need 19 runs off the final two overs.
Nidamanuru hit a six and tailender Paul van Meekeren (21 not out) hit a four as the Netherlands took 15 off the 49th over.
The drama was still not done.
Brad Evans conceded just three runs off the first four balls of the last over, leaving the Dutch needing one off two. Under pressure, van Meekeren launched a six off the penultimate ball of the game to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in the three-game series and a third straight win over Zimbabwe in bilateral ODI series.
The Netherlands won 2-0 in 2019 in the only other ODI series between the teams.
Zimbabwe also relied on its lower order to post its total, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande’s 74, his first ODI half-century, helping lift Zimbabwe from 98-7.
Source | AP
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