ASHLEY DUBE
BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Emerging men’s cricket team secured a comfortable draw against their South African counterparts in their second four-day match at Queens Sports Club on Saturday, thanks to a resilient batting performance led by Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Antum Naqvi.
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| Image: Zimbabwe Cricket |
Zimbabwe Emerging, needing to bat through the final day to avoid defeat after conceding a first-innings lead of 196 runs, began the day on 49 for 0.
However, they lost the wicket of Nick Welch early on, who was dismissed for 34 by Andile Simelani. Ryan Kamwemba (12) and Larvet Masunda (11) also fell quickly, leaving Zimbabwe Emerging at 106 for 3.
It was Takudzwanashe Kaitano, with a crucial and well-paced 77 runs off 203 balls, who provided a steady anchoring for the Zimbabwean innings.
His patient and composed innings provided a vital foundation that proved immensely indispensable for the team's survival.
When Kaitano was dismissed for 77, the match was effectively safe for the home team.
Antum Naqvi, who had scored a century in the first innings, continued his brilliant, unmatched form with another patient innings, remaining unbeaten on 65.
The day truly belonged to Kaitano and Naqvi, without whose valiant contributions the result could have been otherwise.
Naqvi was named Player of the Match for his 130 (213), 6/128, and 65 (140) – making his statement of intent clear enough for the selectors.
With no chance of a result, the match was called off early with Zimbabwe Emerging reaching 217 for 4, securing a hard-fought, valuable draw.
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