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Takudzwa Manzero
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE A won the first match of the 1XBET One Day Cup six-match series against the Pakistan Shaheens at Harare Sports Club, courtesy of a handsome bowling performance from Dangamvura-bred Tendai Chatara.
Chatara’s five for 37 in nine overs was the pick of the bowlers as the veteran bowler spearheaded the hosts’ victory by 24 runs. It was a special occasion as he reached an illustrious milestone of 250 A-List cricket wickets in 172 matches.
Speaking at the post match conference, man-of-the-match Chatara said: “I was very happy to start off well and set of the tone for the series. I played a couple of T20s and I have been working on my fitness which I attribute to the spectacular performance today and I hope it continues throughout the series.
“The game plan was quite simple, we knew if I took early wickets it would keep them on the back foot, then I would come back at day’s end and clean it up.”
The game started on a sombre note as the players took a moment of silence following the passing on of Richard Ngarava’s mother.
After a false start by the top order batsmen, the duty to salvage a respectable total fell in the hands of the middle order where veteran Sean Williams’ aggressive 20 off 9 deliveries ignited his team mate Ryan Burl to produce a spirited performance of 69 off 68 balls.
Clive Madande’s 34 (55) and Wellington Masakadza 25 (41) were significant additions to the formidable score of the day.
Shaheens captain, Imran Butt admitted during the post-match conference that the Zimbabwean bowling line-up proved to be a mammoth task for their batting.
He said: “Looking at 234 runs, it should have been an easy chase for us so hats off to their bowling.”
The visitors will be looking to strike back after having enjoyed a string of victories throughout their tour in Kwekwe and Mutare. Squad rotation is expected from the Zimbabwe coach as the tour serves as a preparation and selection basis for the Cricket World Cup qualifiers which will be held from June 18 to July 9.
Zimbabwe A:
Innocent Kaia, Tadiwananshe Marumani, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani.
Pakistan Shaheens: Saim Ayub, Imran Butt, Mohammad Hurraira, Kamran Ghulam, Hussain Talat, Haseebulah Khan, Mubassir Khan, Aamer Jamal, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani.
Online Reporter