Mishra takes six as Zimbabwe rolled for 163

BULAWAYO: Legspinner Amit Mishra's six-wicket haul took India to the brink of a one-day series whitewash in Zimbabwe as they bowled the hosts out for 163 in Saturday's fifth one-day international.

Mishra ran through the Zimbabwean lower order to record figures of six for 48 and take his wicket tally in the series to 18, as the hosts were dismissed inside 40 overs.

Sean Williams was the only batsman to put up resistance for Zimbabwe, hitting 51 from 63 balls as he lifted his side from 45 for four towards a more respectable score.

With the hosts once again struggling with the lateral movement on offer to the bowlers up front, seamers Mohit Sharma, Jaydev Unadkat and Shami Ahmed claimed a wicket apiece before left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja forced Hamilton Masakadza to play on for 32.

Although Williams gained reward for some sensible batting through the middle overs, he continued to lose partners at regular intervals as Malcolm Waller pulled a Mishra long-hop to mid-on and Elton Chigumbura was trapped lbw.

Mishra raced to his first five-wicket haul of the series when Tinotenda Mutombodzi was caught at second slip in the same over as Chigumbura's dismissal, and then got rid of Williams and Natsai Mushangwe in his next two overs.

With a googly bringing the end of Brian Vitori, Mishra had a sixth wicket and most likely the man of the series award. (AFP)