Elton Chigumbura laments Zimbabwe's death bowling

Zimbabwe bowlers conceded 152 runs in the last ten overs. © Getty

Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura has called for better bowling performance in the death overs from his bowlers, after being at the receiving end of West Indian opener Chris Gayle's record-breaking 215-run knock. Riding on Gayle's double-ton, West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L), despite the African team putting up a solid batting performance that saw them score 289 runs in 44.3 overs.

Zimbabwe have racked up scores off 277, 286 for six and 289 in this World Cup so far, but have been let down by their bowlers in the slog overs. In their opening game against South Africa, Zimbabwe had their neighbours under the pump at 83 for 4 by the 20th over, but failed to sustain the pressure as JP Duminy and David Miller scored 146 runs in the last ten overs. Against West Indies, Zimbabwe had restricted Gayle and Marlon Samuels to 107 at the halfway stage, but the duo amassed 152 runs in the in the final ten overs to end up with a huge total of 372 for 2.

"We have to improve how we are bowling at the death and sooner we do, the better for the team; and looking at the games we have played, it has cost us," said Chigumbura and went on to add that the bowlers need to execute their plans better. "The percentage was maybe 80 out of a 100 on execution. It has cost us and it's not the first game that we are giving away too many runs at the end. We just have to go out and work on our last 15 overs."

Chigumbura, however, was pleased with his team's batting performance. "It is a good positive for the team that we are batting well, so it is a matter of polishing up one department which is our death bowling and if we can do that then we hopefully can have a good game with the ball and the bat," added the skipper.

Despite managing just one win from three games, the allrounder remained optimistic for a positive result in their next game against Pakistan. "Hopefully we can keep the form we have with the bat and if we can work hard on our bowling and give fewer runs than we have given so far than we have a good chance of getting a positive result against Pakistan," said the 28-year-old. "But we have to play good cricket on the day in all departments, including our fielding."