Sylhet: Elton Chigumbura hit a rapid 53 not out to help Zimbabwe win its second match in the World Twenty20, beating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets on Friday.
Chigumbura smashed six fours and three sixes off just 21 balls. The last six sealed the win in emphatic fashion as Zimbabwe raced to 118-5 in 13.4 overs after the UAE was restricted to 116-9.
The win keeps alive Zimbabwe's hopes of advancing in the tournament. If Ireland loses to the Netherlands in a later match Friday, Zimbabwe is through to the next round.
The UAE, which lost its third straight, had a chance for an upset when it had Zimbabwe at 4-34. But Chigumbura then opened his batting with a six and a four in his first two balls to steady Zimbabwe and help his team avoid an embarrassing loss.
Timycen Murma was 22 not, while Vusi Sibanda contributed 16.
Sean Williams claimed a career-best 3-15 for Zimbabwe, while Chatara and Sikandar Raza were 2-21 and 2-15, respectively.
Swapnil Patel was the highest scorer for UAE with 30, while captain Khurram Khan had 26.
Scores:
Zimbabwe 118-5 in 13.4 overs (Elton Chigumbura 53 not out, Timycen Murma 22 not out; Manjula Guruge 2-18, Khurram Khan 1-8) def. UAE 116-9 (Swapnil Patel 30, Khurram Khan 26; Sean Williams 3-15, Sikandar Raza 2-15) by five wickets
