Nagpur, Feb 28 (IANS) Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine helped Zimbabwe set a challenging 299-run target for Canada in a Group A match of the World Cup at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha here Monday.
Taibu (98) and Ervine (85) with their 181-run stand for the third wicket helped Zimbabwe recover from a poor start of two for seven. For Canada, leg-spinner Balaji Rao was the most successful bowler with four for 57 while seamers Khurram Chohan and Harvir Baidwan claimed two wickets each.
Sean Williams (30), Graeme Cremer (26) and Prosper Utseya (22) made some significant scores down the order as Zimbabwe posted a challenging total after captain Elton Chigumbura opted to bat.
Zimbabwe lost openers Charles Coventry (4) and Bredan Taylor early, but solid performances from Taibu and Ervine agonised the Canadian bowlers.
Taibu was unfortunate to miss his third ODI century by just two runs as his slog sweep off Rao found John Davison at deep midwicket. Taibu hit nine fours during his 99-ball stay while Ervine made 85 from 81 balls with two sixes and six fours.
