Sikandar Raza’s fighting ton wasn’t enough to take Zimbabwe past the finish line as India held nerves to record a 13-run win and complete 3-0 ODI series sweep in Harare on Monday. Raza, who hit 115 in 95 balls, kept the home side alive in their 290 chase with his 104-run partnership with Brad Evans, who chipped in with 28 off 36 deliveries. Raza, however, fell to an incredible Shubman Gill catch in the penultimate over, as the pendulum swung again in India’s favour.
Raza, who walked off to a standing ovation, tried to clear the long-on boundary but didn’t get the elevation. Gill was quick to run in from the fence and put on a well-timed dive. The young Indian grabbed the ball inches above the ground, which perhaps sealed the game and clean sweep for KL Rahul and co.
Raza perished after a valiant effort with the bat and even Indian players were seen congratulating the batter. Earlier, a superb maiden hundred by batter Shubman Gill and a half-century by Ishan Kishan powered India to 289/8 at the end of their 50 overs.
