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SHARJAH, UAE – A Dwayne Bravo half-century was enough to lift West Indies to an 18-run victory over Zimbabwe in their first unofficial Twenty20 warm-up on Saturday in preparation for the T20 World Cup here. The right-hander struck 55 as West Indies tallied 147 for seven off their 20 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Wicketkeeker Denesh Ramdin hit 40 and Captain Darren Sammy an unbeaten 21.

Seamers Tinashe Panyangara (2-30) and Tendai Chatara (2-37) finished with two wickets apiece. In reply, Zimbabwe were limited to 129 for seven with Richard Mutumbami leading with 40, Malcolm Waller getting 33 and Panyangara 25.

Bravo completed a tidy all-rounder performance by picking up two for 20, while left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn claimed two for 25. Bravo’s knock was important after West Indies slipped to 41 for three following the cheap dismissals of Andre Fletcher (1), Johnson Charles (16) and Marlon Samuels (4).

Bravo and Ramdin then put on 60 for the fourth wicket to rally the innings past the 100-run mark, with Bravo striking four fours and two sixes and Ramdin two fours and two sixes.

Opener Mutumbami then struck six fours and a six to lead the Zimbabwe reply, while Waller struck two fours and a six in his knock. Panyangara, who hit a single six, posted 53 with Waller in a threatening fifth-wicket stand, after Zimbabwe slumped to 69 for four.

However, once they were dismissed, the Zimbabwe innings tailed away. Bravo claimed two for 20 from his three overs, while Benn finished with two for 25 from his four overs.

West Indies will face Zimbabwe again in another warm-up T20 today. – Jamaica Observer