T20 World Cup: Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya fire India to 256-4 against Zimbabwe

Chennai: Opener Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya hit blistering fifties as India reached 256-4 against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super Eights on Thursday, the second highest total in the history of the tournament.

Left-handed Abhishek, who had struggled with three ducks in four innings in this tournament, hit a 30-ball 55 before Pandya finished on an unbeaten 50 in Chennai.

Pandya and left-handed Tilak Varma, who hit a 16-ball 44, put on an unbeaten stand of 84 to make India overhaul West Indies' 254-6 against the same opposition on Monday.


Only Sri Lanka, who made 260-6 against Kenya in 2007, have scored more in a T20 World Cup match.

India need to win both their remaining matches in the Super Eights to qualify for the semi-finals after they suffered a big defeat against South Africa.

Defeat for Zimbabwe will guarantee a place in the last four for South Africa, who beat the West Indies by nine wickets earlier on Thursday.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson returned to the team to break the left-handed opening combination of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan and handed India a flying start with fours and sixes.

Samson fell for 24 off Blessing Muzarabani in the next over but Abhishek kept up the charge until spin was introduced and Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza attempted to pull things back.

Abhishek reached his fifty off 26 balls as he put on 72 runs with Kishan.

Off-spinner Raza broke the stand to get Kishan caught at short third-man for 38.

Abhishek fell to Tinotenda Maposa caught at long-on but his knock lay the platform for India's strong finish.