Mutumbami powers Zim into lead

Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
OPENER Richmond Mutumbami’s career best 74, coupled with an unbeaten 49 from skipper Elton Chigumbura, inspired Zimbabwe to a six-wicket triumph over Afghanistan with two balls to spare in the third One Day International cricket match at Queens here yesterday.

The win gave Zimbabwe a 2-1 lead in the five-match contest with two more matches remaining on Thursday and Saturday. Mutumbami, dropped twice in his 92-ball knock, made up of four fours and two sixes, bettered his previous best of 67, and was the key in Zimbabwe’s run chase.

Chigumbura was left stranded one run short of his 20th ODI half century.

This was after Afghanistan, who for the third time in a row had won toss, opted to bat and posted 223 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs, the highest score being 56 coming from opening batsman Noor Ali Zadran.

Mohammad Nabi contributed 42 runs before being run out by left spinner Tinotenda Mutombodzi.

Left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and Sean Williams took two wickets apiece while there was one wicket each for seamers Tinashe Panyangara, Luke Jongwe as well as left arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.

Requiring 4.48 runs over, Zimbabwe were going at four per over until they lost Chamunorwa Chibhabha for 18 runs.

Mutumbami was dropped on 36 by Shenwari off the bowling of Nabi.

With 146 still needed to win, Zimbabwe were two down, Craig Ervine bowled by left arm spinner Hamza Hotak for 11.

Mutumbami reached his third ODI half century off 71 balls with four fours.

He was again put down in the deep by Aftab Alam on 68 runs off the bowling of Hotak.

After playing too many strokes, Mutumbami finally departed, becoming Hotak’s second victim, brilliantly caught by Rashid Khan.

Williams and Chigumbura shared a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket, a stand ended when Williams fell to Hotak, taken by Noor Ali Zadran.

Zimbabwe needed three runs to win in the last over bowled by Dawlat Zadran with Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza at the crease.

Raza slammed the fourth delivery for six to seal the win for Zimbabwe.

Chigumbura could not get to his half century while Raza was not out for 29.

Hotak finished with 3-47 in the 10 overs he bowled.