Vusi Sibanda's half century could not help matters as Zimbabwe crushed to an eight wicket loss and hand India an unassailable 2-0 series lead with a match to go in the Killer Cup One Day International Series at Harare Sports Club yesterday. Winning the toss, India opted to field and Zimbabwe were 126 all out after just 34.3 overs, a target that India achieved with 139 balls in hand, losing only two wickets in response as they were 129/2 after 26.5 overs. Pale faces and disappointed was all that came out of Harare Sports Club as the fans made their concerns herd expressing their disappointment in song and placards as prominent being the Tormented Song as Zimbabwe crumbled out way before lunch. Sibanda top scored with a 53 of 69 that included six fours and six but that was all in vain and India were 48/0 by lunch in a game that was done by 2.30pm.. Sibanda said there is no excuse for the poor display his side put up adding he was disappointed by giving away his own wicket “It is always very disappointing. It was difficult to bat out there but no excuse I had to take more responsibility to see the team bat through, unfortunately the execution was not there. “It is easy for me to say we have lost wickets and we should have done this and that but I think I had the chance to take the team through but I did not “This is our own backyard we should do well. We really do not have excuses. It is just a matter of adapting to the conditions. If we as batters do not step up to the platform and do well it is always going to be difficult for the bowlers. “As a senior guy in the team I should not be saying that we should leave to the other guys. I had the chance to take the team through but I will take the responsibility for not doing so,” said the batsman. Yuzvendra Chala caused problems for Zimbabwe and finished with figure of 3-25 in six overs while Dhawal Kulkarni and Barinder Sran each claimed two wickets apiece as Zimbabwe crumbled in the morning. The fans waved placards that showed disappointment and sang against the Zimbabwe side, they abandoned their traditional Castle Corner and all that was there was a sign that read “What a Shame”. “(I)Heard some of the words that came out, they were actually not nice but we represent our country and obviously they are disappointed as much as we are, they expect a lot from us, they are following us. “If we do not perform exceptionally well they get disappointed but for them to step over the line and get personal is not good. If we do not do well, yes, that would be disappointing but we also want them to stand by us when things don’t get well,” added Sibanda. At one stage it seemed Zimbabwe were in the game, and it looked like they would make life difficult for the visitors as they were 106/3 but they lost the remaining six wickets in a adding just 20 runs. Sean Williams was not able to bat after he had suffered a figure injury just before the game.” Zimbabwe interim coach Makhaya Ntini who had in the pre-series press conference had said his side would “sweep India under the carpet” said the results would come, but not soon. “There is nothing that has changed in our stance. It is a process, we still can. The biggest question is When was the last time we played cricket. We are going to get into that position whereby we are able to conquer what we need to conquer. There is no change in that and I can stick to my word. “Everyone in the team believes we can be able to do it. But the problem we had today was that we did not respect the Indian bowlers. It is a matter of understanding where they (fielders) are. When you have a bowler who is bowling very well then you need to take singles and they get frustrated, but we wanted to hit sixes where we know there is a fielder,” said Ntini.

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