ZIMBABWE’S Under-19 team beat Afghanistan U19 at Sunrise Sports Club in Belvedere, Harare, registering their first victory in the ongoing Youth Tri Series, which also features Pakistan.
The hosts, who lost the toss, were put in to bat first and led by Druv Patel’s half-century, falling just short of the 200-run mark, scoring 185 runs in 47.3 overs.
Patel, the top-order batsman, scored 60 off 74 balls, hitting six boundaries and a maximum. Brandon Senzere contributed 38 runs from 68 balls, while Tatenda Chimugoro and Kian Blignaut added 23 and 22 runs, respectively.
Afghanistan’s Salam Khan was the highest wicket-taker, claiming four scalps for 32 runs in nine overs. Hafeez Zadran picked three wickets, while Nooristani Omarzai and Uzairullah Niazai claimed one apiece.
Webster Madhidhi led Zimbabwe’s bowling charge, taking three wickets for 20 runs from eight overs, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 166 runs in 40.5 overs. Shelton Mazvitorera and Senzere took two wickets each, with Patel and Benny Zuze getting one each.
Afghanistan’s captain, Mahboob Khan, led from the front, scoring 49 runs before being trapped LBW by Mazvitorera.
The win puts Zimbabwe on top of the table with four points. Pakistan, who face Afghanistan on Friday, are second with three points, while Afghanistan have one point. Afghanistan’s chances of reaching the final are slim, as they can get a maximum of two more points.
Zimbabwe will face Pakistan on Sunday in their last group match, followed by the final two days later.
