But, a pre-match jolt to India in the form of Sachin's absence, who had to dash to India to perform his father's last rites, was a crucial factor that bore an outcome to the match. Batting first at Leicester, Zimbabwe posted a formidable 252/9 riding on impressive performances from the Flower brothers. Andy Flower's 68 and Grant Flower's 45 was instrumental in Zimbabwe's pursuit to reach the 250 mark.
In reply, India failed to get a good start and Zimbabwe's opening bowler's-Heath Streak and Neil Johnson reduced India to 56/3 in 9 overs. Moreover, India were docked 4 overs due to a slow over-rate and it compounded the problems. However, Sadagoppan Ramesh scored a gritty fifty, before Robin Singh and Nayan Mongia batted positively to take India closer. Needing 9 runs off 2 overs, Henry Olonga was given the charge to do the miracle and he responded brilliantly by scalping India's all remaining 3 wickets to hand Zimbabwe a stunning win.
