Kiwi Spinner Ish Sodhi Shines in T20 PowerPlay Challenge

In the ongoing Tri-Series in Harare, New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi has been relishing the challenge of bowling during the PowerPlay overs in Twenty20 Internationals. On Thursday, the 32-year-old registered a career-best performance of 4-12 against Zimbabwe, becoming the second New Zealand bowler, after Tim Southee, to claim 150 wickets in T20Is.

"Well, that's pretty nice to be able to achieve that milestone and contribute to the win," said Sodhi, the player-of-the-match. The leg-spinner claimed three of his four wickets in the first six PowerPlay overs, a role he is still adapting to. "It's quite a new role for me. I had not bowled in the PowerPlays a lot. This is a really strong New Zealand side nowadays, so to try and get into the side, you have to learn to be able to bowl in the PowerPlay. Getting some wickets is quite pleasing. It shows, I suppose, that I can do it and it's something I want to keep doing."

New Zealand will now face South Africa in the final of the Tri-Series on Saturday in Harare. After the tournament, the Kiwis will stay back for a two-Test series against host Zimbabwe, with all-rounder Michael Bracewell replacing the injured Glenn Phillips in the Test squad.