Updated on
Summary New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by 34 runs in the second T20 international to seal two-match series 2-0.
Openers Martin Guptill (67) and Brendon McCullum (64) both struck half-centuries as New Zealand reached 187-3 in a game reduced to 18 overs per side after rain stopped play three overs in.Guptill faced 46 balls, hitting seven boundaries and two sixes while McCullum smashed two fours and six sixes, having faced 37 balls. Jesse Ryder was undefeated on 30 runs.Captain Ross Taylor (8) was run out on the last ball of the innings from Charles Coventrys throw to wicketkeeper Forster Mutizwa.Chasing a daunting total, Zimbabwe started positively, led by top-scorer Chamu Chibhabha (65), who faced 39 balls and cracked four fours and five sixes in his knock before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off a turning Nathan McCullum delivery in the 14th over.Elton Chigumbura hit a quickfire 39 balls off 22 balls in support of Chibhabha.Zimbabwe lost steam after Chibhabha and Chigumburas removal, with the last four wickets falling for no run.Forster Mutizwa (22) and Ray Price (0) were run out cheaply in quick succession before Bracewell, who ended with figures of 3-25, cleaned up the Zimbabwe tail by dismissing bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Chris Mpofu for ducks.The New Zealand bowlers struck at regular intervals, however, to guide their team home comfortably as Zimbabwe struggled for partnerships.Seamer Doug Bracewell and spinner Nathan McCullum took three wickets each.
