Axar, Harbhajan lead India to 54-run win over Zimbabwe

Harare (AFP) - Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets to spin India to a comprehensive 54-run victory over Zimbabwe in Friday's first Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club.

After Robin Uthappa top-scored in an Indian total of 178 for five, Patel took 3 for 17 on his Twenty20 international debut and Harbhajan returned 2 for 29 as Zimbabwe were restricted to 124 for seven.

In total India handed out five Twenty20 international debuts in the game, but their vast experience in the Indian Premier League meant that the hosts were still no match for them.

The tourists made a bright start after winning the toss and opting to bat, with captain Ajinkya Rahane putting on 64 for the first wicket with Murali Vijay inside seven overs.

Vijay was the first batsman dismissed when he was run out for 34, before Rahane was caught at backward point for 33 off the bowling of leg-spinner Graeme Cremer.

Uthappa had scored just 44 runs in three innings during the recently concluded one-day series, which India swept 3-0, but his return to form on Friday helped India maintain control throughout their innings.

The wicketkeeper-batsman opted against his usual big-hitting approach, and instead anchored the innings with an unbeaten 39 from 35 balls.

"The wicket was very slow -- not like all T20 wickets that you play on all around the world," Uthappa said.

"It was important for me to hold one end up for the side because we needed one batsman to bat through. I was very happy to do that for the team."

Fast bowler Chris Mpofu finished with 3 for 33 on his return to the Zimbabwe side after firing in a crafty spell of death bowling, but India were still able to finish strongly as Zimbabwe conceded 25 extras, including 13 wides.

“I thought maybe the pressure got to our youngsters, which I can understand,” said Mpofu.

Zimbabwe made a promising start to their chase as Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha put on 55 for the first wicket, with seamer Sandeep Sharma enduring a tough start with the ball on his international debut.

However the introduction of the spinners turned the match irreversibly in India's favour, as Chibhabha was caught at long-on off the bowling of Harbhajan and Masakadza scooped Patel straight to fine leg.

Patel went on to rip through the middle order, bowling Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza Butt, which left the Zimbabwean lower order to bat out the final four overs with no chance of achieving the target.

The second and final match in the series takes place at the same venue on Sunday.