India beat Bots In Mini Cricket World Cup

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday November 1, 2010 00:00

 

The hosts lost by 50 runs at the Botswana Cricket Association oval in Gaborone on Saturday night.

Botswana won the toss and chose to field on a pitch that offered early bounce for seamers. Right-handed strike bowler, Tshepo Mhozya got the early breakthrough for the hosts when his ripper beat Feroz Gaswala's defence and uprooted the stumps. It was the perfect start as India slumped to 11-1. The opening bowling pair of Mhozya and Mosa Gaolekwe extracted disconcerting bounce early on which caused some consternation for the Indian batsmen.

However, patient batting from Noor Ahmed and Karan Kapoor frustrated the Botswana bowlers. The pair put on 106 for the second wicket partnership, waiting for the odd bad ball and impressively rotating strike.

The partnership was eventually broken in the 21st over when Kapoor was clean bowled by Kala Rakwadi  for 68 off 70 balls. His knock included eight fours.Elegant stroke maker Selvam Sethasivam made 29 in typical big hitting fashion with two fours and two sixes off just 15 balls.

He was eventually bowled out by captain James Moses.At the other end, Ahmed was dismissed for 60 from 78 balls. The Indians reached 198-4 in 28 overs and Botswana was fined for a slow over rate, which cost them 30 runs to bring India's total to a challenging 228. Botswana's run chase started horribly when Sharfan Shahul was run out for four with only seven runs on the board. With the pitch still offering bounce, the Indian bowlers took full advantage as wickets fell at regular intervals.

There were numerous close calls for leg before wicket (lbw) appeals as Indian captain, Ahmed, used both spin and pace to devastating effect. When Botswana slumped to 94-4 in the 16th over, the run chase proved steeper. All-rounder, Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 6-0-24-2. Abdullah Malik chipped in with two conceding just 16 runs.

Ahmed was named man-of-the-match. Moses played a true captain's role when he top scored with 69 from 56 balls, which included five fours and one six. Botswana were all out for 178, losing by 50 runs and captain Moses admitted that they were sloppy in the field which allowed their opponents to post a formidable total.'We were not disciplined. We were on the ropes. We missed several players but that is no excuse. Cricket is about consistency and we didn't get the consistency,' Moses said.

He said the 30 extra runs awarded due to a slow over rate proved costly at the end. Their target was to restrict the team to between 160 and 170 runs. Moses said they will rectify their mistakes in their next game against Sri Lanka.

His rival, Ahmed, said they got the total they were looking for in batting first. He said they kept to line and length, sticking to the basics of the game. 'It was a good win against Botswana who are the defending champions. We were not shattered when we lost the toss as we were fine with batting first. We have a strong line up and we are now looking to go all the way,' Ahmed said.   

 Match summary India 228/4 (30 overs) Kapoor 68 Moses 5-0-31-2Botswana 178 (30 overs) Moses 69 Malik 3-0-16-2India won by 50runs