Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, [email protected]
A TON from Antum Naqvi and an unbeaten half-century from Timycen Maruma helped Zimbabwe “A” cruise to a four-wicket victory over Canada in the first unofficial one-day match at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
The duo had a brilliant 157-run fifth-wicket partnership which sealed the game for the hosts with 53 balls remaining in the innings.
Zimbabwe “A” captain Dion Myers won the toss and elected to field first and they restricted the visitors to 231/9 in 50 overs. They went on to chase down the target in 41.1 overs, finishing on 232/6 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Canada’s top order struggled to impose themselves, adopting an overly cautious approach and by the time the third wicket fell, they had managed only 66 runs in 23 overs.
Their captain, Harsh Thaker, sparked a recovery with an attacking 49 off 48 balls, supported by Kanwarpal Tathgur’s composed 53 off 83 deliveries.
The duo added 85 runs for the fourth wicket, with Tathgur anchoring the innings while Thaker played more aggressively.
When Thaker departed, Canada had reached 170/5 in the 41st over.
A quick-fire 26 off 15 balls from Pargat Singh and some late hitting from the tail pushed the total to 231/9. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe “A”s standout bowler, claiming figures of 4/48, while Alex Falao took three for 32.
In reply, Zimbabwe “A” lost their top order in quick succession. Tinashe Chiorah was the first to fall for 18 runs off 26 balls in the sixth over, leaving the side on 26/1. Tanunurwa Makoni followed soon after for 10 runs with the hosts now on 30/2. Nick Welch was the third wicket, caught behind for three runs, leaving Zimbabwe “A” on 42/3. The skipper, Myers was bowled for 13 runs in the 15th over with, leaving the team on 62/4.
After the wicket, Zimbabwe “A” needed a major partnership, and they found it in Naqvi and Maruma.
Once settled, Naqvi took charge, dismantling the bowling attack as he raced to 105 off just 73 balls, hitting four sixes and eight fours.
By the time he was dismissed with the score at 219, victory was all but sealed.
Maruma provided the perfect foil, steady yet effective, finishing on an unbeaten 72 runs off 86 balls, including two sixes and five fours.
He fittingly struck the winning boundary with almost nine overs to spare, sealing an emphatic win for Zimbabwe ‘A’.
The two sides will meet again today in the second one-day match at the same venue. – @brandon_malvin
