A 71-run fourth-wicket stand between Sean Williams (60* in 52 balls) and Craig Ervine (30 in 36) helped Zimbabwe beat Scotland by 10 runs in the second T20I at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh to level the three-match series 1-1.
Riding on that partnership, Zimbabwe posted 136/5 after opting to bat. Then they bowled out Scotland for 126 with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Zimbabwe lost Innocent Kaia (7), Regis Chakabva (8), and Wesley Madhevere inside three overs. Williams and Ervine recovered the innings from there. Ryan Burl got a 12-ball 13 not out to guide his side to a competitive total.
The Zimbabwean batters struggled to find fluency throughout the innings against a disciplined Scottish bowling unit, led by Safyaan Sharif. Alasdair Evans, Mark Watt, Gavin Main, and Michael Leask all claimed a wicket each.
After a terrible show in the series opener, Scotland batters disappointed again. George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer, Ollie Hairs, and Calum MacLeod all fell cheaply inside the first five overs. They were left reeling on 16/4 in 4.1 overs.
Richie Berrington (42 in 43) and Matthew Cross (42 in 35) held the fort from there, adding 75 for the fifth wicket to keep Scotland back into the contest. They needed 39 off the final 30 balls, but failed to finish things off.
Scotland needed 17 off the last two overs, with four wickets in hand. Richard Ngarava conceded just four runs in the penultimate over to reduce the equation to 13 off the final six balls. In the final over, Wellington Masakadza took two wickets and effected a run-out in the first three balls. Madhevere then ran out Evans on the next ball to ensure the victory.
The two teams will again meet for the decider on 19 September at the same venue.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 136/5 in 20 overs (Sean Williams 60*; Gavin Main 1-17) beat Scotland 126 in 19.4 overs (Matthew Cross 42; Richard Ngarava 2-13) by 10 runs. Player of the Match: Richard Ngarava.