Zim 'sloppy' in SA defeat

Hambantota - Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has described his team as "sloppy" and "below par" after they crashed out of the ICC World Twenty20 with a 10-wicket thumping by South Africa on Thursday.

Zimbabwe were no match for the formidable South Africans as they were reduced to a paltry 93/8 in their 20 overs before seeing their opponents overhaul the low target without losing a wicket with 7.2 overs to spare.

Zimbabwe lost the first group C game against Sri Lanka by 82 runs.

"We came here to win games, and to end on the note we have is very disappointing," said Taylor after the match.

"The sun comes up tomorrow, and unfortunately we head home. There's a long way to go for us and there's a lot of cricket to be played next year. We just want to keep trying to improve and improve in different conditions."

Taylor regretted his team was below par in a major event.

"We went wrong in all three departments. We dropped chances and were sloppy in the field, leaked runs with the ball and didn't score many runs with the bat," said Taylor whose line-up was rocked by Jacques Kallis's 4-15.

"You're not going to win games than that. All in all our cricket was way below par, and against quality opposition you're not going to stand a chance," said Taylor, who promised a swift comeback.

"We'd love a couple more games just to prove that we are a far better side. But that's not to be. World Cups are tough cricket, but we'll go home with our heads held high and bounce back strongly next time the World Cup comes around."

"It's always a learning curve for us, so we'll take something out of it."

Zimbabwean cricket has been hit by a dispute between players and the Board over a controversial policy surrounding racial quotas.

After continuously failing to match international teams Zimbabwe took a self imposed exile from Test cricket between 2006 to 2011 but their return was impressive as they beat Bangladesh in their comeback Test before going down fighting in series against Pakistan and New Zealand.

Zimbabwe's next assignment is a home series against Pakistan which comprises two Tests, three one-day and two Twenty20 internationals.