Chennai, February 26 Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya scored blistering half-centuries as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win Super 8 match to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup, here on Thursday.
Abhishek smashed a brisk 55 off 30 balls to provide early momentum, adding 48 runs for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson (24) after Zimbabwe chose to bowl.
Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) also contributed quickly before Pandya hammered an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls at the death to help India reach 256 for 4, the highest total of this edition.
Tilak Varma contributed 44 not out off 14 balls as he and Pandya put on an unbroken 84-run stand off just 31 deliveries.
In reply, Brian Bennett top-scored with an unbeaten 97, but Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/24.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava (1/62), Blessing Muzarabani (1/43), Tinotenda Maposa (1/40) and captain Sikandar Raza (1/29) picked up wickets, but struggled to contain India's aggressive attack.
Brief scores:
India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1/29).
Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out; Arshdeep Singh 3/24).
