T20 World Cup: De Kock flashes in vain as rain saves Zimbabwe vs South Africa | Cricket News

MELBOURNE: Quinton de Kock’s blistering knock was almost delivered South Africa victory over Zimbabwe before rain played spoilsport in their T20 World Cup opening Monday in Hobart and both teams ended up sharing the points.
South Africa comfortably chased down a reduced target of 64 from seven overs, after the match had already been reduced to nine overs per side due to rain, and made an electric start with De Kock smashing 23 in the first over alone.
As it happened: South Africa vs Zimbabwe
Play was briefly halted due to rain, but De Kock picked up where he left off, accelerating to a brutal 18-ball 47, but the next stoppage after three overs was the last, with South Africa needing just 13 runs to clinch the victory.
After electing to bat, Zimbabwe lost openers Craig Ervine (2) and Regis Chakabva (8) in the clash and trailed 12-3 before the end of the third over after in-form Sikandar Raza bowled Lungi fell for a duck. Ngidi.
Sean Williams was run out (1) in the next over before the 53-run partnership between Wessley Madhevere and Milton Shumba brought much-needed stability to a chaotic Zimbabwe innings, helping them post a competitive total of 79-5.

Madhevere top-scored with an unbeaten 35 off 17 while Shumba added 18 before being dismissed on the last ball of the innings, with Zimbabwe also awarded five penalty runs after the ball rolled onto the field in De Kock’s wicketkeeper’s glove .
Zimbabwe play Pakistan in their next Super 12 match in Perth on Thursday, while South Africa face Bangladesh, who kicked off their World T20 campaign with a hard-fought nine-run win over the Netherlands after pacer Taskin Ahmed celebrated took wickets.
Opting to bowl first earlier on Monday, Netherlands did well to restrict Bangladesh to 144 for eight on a gloomy day at Bellerive Oval.
Paul van Meekeren (24) and Fred Klaassen (seven not out) produced a gallant 34-run partnership for the last wicket, driving the Netherlands to within 12 runs of victory with two balls to spare.
But Van Meekeren was unable to clear the rope off Soumya Sarkar’s penultimate ball, securing Bangladesh’s first win in the second round of a T20 World Cup in 17 attempts.
Man-of-the-match Taskin ensured that Netherlands’ chase got off to a torrid start when he removed opener Vikramjit Singh and number three Bas de Leede with the first two balls of the innings.
A defiant half-century from all-rounder Colin Ackermann (62) kept the Netherlands in the game, but Taskin dismissed the number four in a two-wicket haul in the 17th over.
Bangladesh play South Africa in Sydney on Thursday, while the Netherlands face India.