Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo
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ZIMBABWE’s Under-19 cricket team wrapped up their successful tour of India on a high note with a 188 runs win over Navi Mumbai Sports Association in a four day match played at Vashi Ground in Mumbai, India.
The Minor Chevrons have had a successful tour as they dominated and won most of their matches against different clubs in India. In the first innings, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 287 runs in 65.5 overs before going on to wipe out their opponents for 198 runs in 56.1 overs to take a lead going into the second innings. In the second innings, the Minor Chevrons declared on 292/6 in 50 overs and went on to bowl out Navi Mumbai for 193 runs in 43.5 overs.
In their first innings, it was a brilliant ton from the skipper, Leeroy Chimusoro who fell for a well batted 104 runs from 171 deliveries to help guide his side to a good score. Kohl Eksteen scored a half century, before he was caught on 67 runs from 69 balls as they charged on with the bat. Dylan Nzvenga and Ronak Patel scored 37 and 33 runs off 37 and 39 balls respectively for the Prosper Utseya coached Zimbabwe Under-19 team.
Thelson Madziwana went on to star with the ball for Zimbabwe, taking three wickets for 50 runs in 16 overs while Patel, Kirby Madaramete and Bhakhile Dzaatira took two scalps each to help limit the hosts. Nanda Preet top scored for Navi Mumbai with 69 runs off 88 balls.
In the second innings, there were two half centuries from the Zimbabwean batting line up that proved to be a good one. Ryan Kamwemba top scored with an unbeaten 71 runs from 57 deliveries while Patel fell for 69 runs after facing 73 balls. The skipper, Chimusoro scored 40 runs as he went on to declare with a good lead on the board. Nevrekar Akshay took three wickets for 108 runs in 20 overs for the home side.
Milton Boys High School student, Nkosibongwe Gogodo produced a stellar performance with the ball for Zimbabwe in the second innings, taking six wickets for 49 runs in 13.5 overs. Mashford Shungu finished with the figures 2/33 in nine overs while Bhakhile Dzaatira and Madziwana took one scalp each to help their side clinch a win in their last match.
Two half centuries from Divekar Anurag (55 runs) and Chauhan Hitesh (50 runs) were not enough in helping the home side avoid defeat. Their third leading run getter in the second innings was Bhujbal Rajesh with 30 runs off 46 balls.
The Zimbabwean team left India on Saturday after a very successful tour. They were using the series as part of their preparations for the 2024 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup that will be played in Sri Lanka.-@brandon_malvin
derick.khumalo