Safyaan Sharif returned 4-24 to help Scotland defend a total of 142 in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh. Richie Berrington also played a major role, scoring 82 off 61 deliveries, to single-handedly propel Scotland to 141/6 after they opted to bat.
Earlier, Scotland were doomed after losing George Munsey (1), Kyle Coetzer (2), Ollie Hairs (5), and Calum MacLeod (6) inside the Powerplay. Berrington waged a lone battle from there, and stitched vital partnerships with Matthew Cross (14), Michael Leask (11), and Sharif (9*) to steer Scotland to a competitive total.
Berrington struck seven fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 61-ball 82, while the next best score among his teammates was 14. A total of 11 runs came from extras.
Coming to the defend, Sharif gave Scotland the start they would have hoped for. Wesley Madhevere nicked him to Cross on the first ball of the innings. Tadiwanashe Marumani was undone by Sharif in his next over, as Zimbabwe were down to 5/2 in 2.2 overs.
Regis Chakabva (17) and Craig Ervine (26) steadied the ship, adding 48 in 38 balls before Mark Watt trapped the former leg before in the ninth over. Sean Williams scored a run-a-ball 28, and played second-fiddle to Milton Shumba in their 54-run stand, but it all went in vain, courtesy an excellent catch in the penultimate over, and an impressive final over, all by Sharif himself.
With that, Scotland have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Sharif was ably assisted by Alasdair Evans (1-21) and Chris Sole (1-24). The second T20I will take place at the same venue, on 17 September.
Brief scores: Scotland 141/6 in 20 overs (Richie Berrington 82*; Tendai Chatara 2-23) beat Zimbabwe 134/9 in 20 overs (Milton Shumba 45*; Safyaan Sharif 4-24) by 7 runs.