Story by Raynald Ngwarati
ZIMBABWE ‘A’ have ended their three-day match against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club on a positive note, thanks to a spirited batting performance that saw the hosts force a draw in Harare this Sunday.
In a match that tested Zimbabwe’s depth and character, Antum Naqvi was the star of the show, crafting a brilliant century, scoring 108 runs in the second innings to anchor Zimbabwe A’s fightback.
Naqvi, who also scored 68 in the first innings, was supported superbly by Tinotenda Maposa and Clive Madande, who posted solid half-centuries amounting to 74 and 71 runs respectively, as Zimbabwe ‘A’ declared on 326 for 8 in their second innings.
This performance ensured the match ended in a draw, with MCC not batting again after Zimbabwe wiped out the first-innings deficit and took a lead of over 200.
On Day 2, it was the same Maposa who shone with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul for just 37 runs to help dismiss MCC for 298 in their first innings.
While MCC’s Mo Rizvi claimed three wickets in Zimbabwe’s second innings, it was the resilience and all-round effort from the home side that stole the show.
With players like Naqvi, Maposa and Madande stepping up, the future of Zimbabwean cricket looks to be in safe hands.
