Kane Williamson thrashed 14 runs on three balls of the final over which enabled New Zealand to win a tall scoring Twenty20 against Zimbabwe by five wickets.
Zimbabwe smashed 200 runs for the loss of just two wickets in the allocated 20 overs and the Black Caps achieved the target by hammering 202 runs after losing five wickets with two balls to spare.
James Franklin was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his scintillating 37 balls knock of 60 runs while opening the innings.
The second and final T20 of the series was held at Seddon Park, Hamilton on February 14, 2012.
Earlier, the tourists won the toss and opted to bat with an enthusiasm to win the maiden encounter of the series. The innings was initiated by Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri and they demonstrated aggressive innings while accumulating 50 runs in the first five overs. They powered 76 runs in seven overs when the rapid going Matsikenyeri lost his wicket for 32 runs off 19 balls with three sixes and two fours.
The Zimbabwean Captain Brendan Taylor continued with the pace and the Kiwi bowlers were at the mercy of the batsmen. They contributed 45 runs as Masakadza became the next victim by scoring 62 runs off 42 balls with the help of four sixes and three fours.
Elton Chigumbura assisted well while Taylor continued with the onslaught and he remained unbeaten for majestic 75 off mere 43 deliveries with three huge sixes and 6 fours. Chigumbura was not out for 29 off 16 balls with five fours as the required quota of 20 overs was utilized by achieving 200 runs.
Michael Bates and Ronnie Hira were the only successful bowlers with one wicket each.
New Zealand had an uphill task to surpass the target and their openers Rob Nicols and Franklin started the innings on a positive note. The flow of runs was enhanced from the fifth over when 16 runs were scored and the eighth over produced the same result. First hundred of the innings was completed on the fourth ball of the 10th over when Franklin dispatched a six to Prosper Utseya.
The duo contributed 103 runs for the first wicket as Nicol was gone for 56 runs off 37 balls assisted with four sixes and even fours. Brendon McCullum appeared on the crease and the tempo was carried on by the two while following the huge target.
Franklin gifted his wicket while trying to steal a second run after scoring 60 off 37 deliveries with five sixes and three fours. The second wicket fell at 142 in 14.2 and the wickets kept on tumbling at the other end as McCullum was the fourth batsman to go back to the pavilion for 38 runs. They were 180 for four in 18.2 overs and still required 21 runs in 10 balls when Williamson controlled the game.
The Kiwis were 14 runs away from victory at the beginning of the last over which was bowled by Masakadza. Andrew Ellis took a single on the first ball and it became Williamson show who dispatched four, six and four on the next three deliveries. He remained unbeaten on 20 off mere five deliveries which comprised one six and three fours as the home side smashed 202 runs in 19.4 overs with five wickets still in hand.
Kyle Jarvis and Chigumbura clinched two wickets each as one batsman was run out.
New Zealand won the two T20 match series 2-0 and Zimbabwe was unable to win any game as they have already lost the only Test and three One Day Internationals during their recent trip.
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