SA U-19 take two nil lead

Brandon Moyo

SOUTH Africa Under-19 Emerging have taken a 2-0 lead against Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging following a massive 120-run win in the second one-day match at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

The two sides are set to play five one-day matches as part of their early preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup and the visiting South African side has proven the better of the two teams in the games played so far. Before Sunday’s commanding victory, they won the opening game of the series by eight wickets on Friday at the same venue.

In Sunday’s game, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. They went on to finish their 50 innings on a mammoth 333/6 courtesy of a Muhammed Bulbulia ton before going on to bowl out Zimbabwe for 213 runs in 40,1 overs.

Opening the batting for South Africa Under-19 Emerging, Bulbulia played a brilliant innings which comprised 10 fours and two sixes while striking at 105. He scored 135 runs in 128 balls, having scored an unbeaten half-century in the opening match.

Paul James chipped in with 51 runs off 54 balls while Jason Rowles fell five runs short of his half-century on 45 runs from 48 deliveries. Adnaan Lagadien and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka made 33 and 34 (not out) runs respectively.

Kirby Madaramete led Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging’s bowling unit with four wickets to his name. The youngster finished with figures of 4/62 in 10 overs while Mathew Martell and Keith Mabhena took one scalp apiece for the hosts. With bat in hand, Simbarashe Mudzengerere was the stand-out batter for Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging with a gallant 75 runs off 87 balls Leeroy Chiwaula made 32 runs from 28 deliveries. Benny Zuze and Tatenda Chimugoro scored 30 runs apiece off 53 and 24 balls respectively. South Africa’s Jacob Basson finished with figures of 4/48 in 9,1 overs while Rowan Rajah had figures of 2/14 in five overs. Dayalan Boyce and James took one wicket apiece. The third game of the series will be a do-or-die encounter for the Elton Chigumbura-led Zimbabwe Under-19 Emerging side. A win will see them claw back into the series while a defeat will see Malibongwe Maketa’s South Africa Under-19 Emerging take an unassailable lead. The third match is scheduled for tomorrow at Queens Sports Club. The other matches are pencilled in for Friday and Sunday.