Scotland defeated Zimbabwe by seven runs in the first of the three T20 Internationals here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Batsman Richie Berrington, batting at No. 4, shone with the bat with a brisk 82 not out while medium-pacer Safyaan Sharif starred with the ball for Scotland with figures of 4\/24.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing 142, Zimbabwe lost their first wicket on the first ball of their innings, as Wesley Madhevere was caught behind off Sharif for a golden duck. The pacer struck again in his next over as Madhevere's opening partner Tadiwanashe Marumani followed suit, becoming the quick's second victim.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Regis Chakabva (17) and skipper Craig Ervine (26) steadied the innings. They stitched a 48-run stand before the two batsmen were dismissed in quick succession by Mark Watt (1\/17) and Ollie Hairs (1\/19) respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sean Williams contributed with a run-a-ball 28, sharing a 54-run stand with Milton Shumba. Though wickets fell at regular intervals from one end, Shumba (45 not out) remained unperturbed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With 19 required from the last two overs, and Shumba looking set, Zimbabwe were edging closer to victory. But brilliant death bowling from Chris Sole (1\/24) and Sharif sealed the deal for the host. Together they gave away 11 runs and claimed three wickets in the last two overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Scotland won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to a shaky start as they lost their top three batsmen -- George Munsey (1), Kyle Coetzer (2) and Hairs (5) -- inside three overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the sixth over, they lost another wicket in Calum MacLeod (6), who became Tendai Chatara's (2\/23) second victim. Despite a flurry of wickets, Berrington stayed firm at the crease.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He found support in Matthew Cross, with the duo sharing an important 45-run stand before Luke Jongwe (2\/28) broke their partnership. He had Cross caught for 14 in the 13th over. Michael Leask also contributed with a 13-ball 11, while Sharif remained unbeaten on 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Berrington's solid contribution of 82* from 61 balls, which featured seven fours and three sixes, helped revive Scotland innings. From being 30\/4 at one point, Scotland finished on a competitive 141\/6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n