2nd T20: West Indies defeat Zimbabwe by 41 runs, clinch series 2-0

Antigua: Kieron Pollard hit an unbeaten 45 off 24 balls and Samuel Badree followed with 3 for 17 on Sunday as West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 41 runs to complete a 2-0 win in the Twenty20 series. Pollard slammed three fours and three sixes to lift the West Indies to 158 for 7 off 20 overs. Opener Lendl Simmons anchored the top order with 41 off 39 balls.

There were two wickets apiece for Zimbabwe legspinners Tino Mutombodzi (2 for 28) and Natsai M'shangwe (2 for 33). Badree put the skids under Zimbabwe's run chase early with the wickets of both openers and captain Brendan Taylor.

Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 53 not out off 51 balls, but the visitors never delivered the acceleration needed to challenge and limped to 117 for 6 off 20 overs. Allrounder Dwayne Bravo claimed 2 for 15.

Pollard (45 off 24) slammed three fours and three sixes to lift the West Indies to 158 for 7 off 20 overs.

West Indies won the toss but failed to get the flying start after batting first. Johnson Charles fell in the fourth over, losing his middle stump trying an agricultural heave off Tendai Chatara.

Simmons and Bravo (24 off 25 balls) shared a restorative stand of 42 off 37 balls but the hosts lost both, along with newcomer Chris Barnwell, as they slipped to 92 for 4 after 14 overs.

Bravo top-edged M'shangwe high into the off-side where Taylor held a fine running catch before Utseya bowled Barnwell (7) and M'shangwe claimed Simmons to a fine catch at long-off by Craig Ervne. But Pollard dominated the final overs, typically forthright as 59 runs came off the last five overs.

Zimbabwe's run chase was soon derailed by Badree, who claimed career-best figures. The Trinidadian legspinner bowled Chamu Chibhabha and soon added Sibanda, caught at point, and Taylor, caught at extra cover, as the Zimbabweans fell to 33 for 3 in the eighth over.

Masakadza compiled his sixth half-century but he nor any other batsman could supply the needed boundaries and the hosts sealed a comfortable win. The Zimbabwean mood was further soured by the careless run out of Malcolm Waller, who jogged for a second but was caught short by Simmons' powerful throw from the deep. The sides next play a two-Test series, with the first match at Barbados' Kensington Oval from March 12.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)