South Africa Emerging beat Zimbabwe Emerging convincingly by 7 wickets in the 1st ODI in Bulawayo.
South Africa opted to bowl first in the 1st ODI against Zimbabwe and were dominant from the get-go.
They had the hosts down three wickets for 33 runs thanks to clinical bowling from Dian Forrester (3-28) who removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Nick Welch (c) and Antum Naqvi.
Zimbabwe recovered slightly by taking their total to 105 before wickets started to fall again, thanks to Caleb Seleka (2-31) breaking a 72-run partnership between Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Emmanuel Bawa. Seleka removed Kaitano for 29. Bawa scored 49 to take the team to 108, but Seleka struck again by trapping the 20-year-old lbw.
Zimbabwe were restricted to 111-6 moments later when Jade de Klerk dismissed Faraz Akram. The hosts did put a little pressure back on through Alistair Frost and Brandon Mavuta to take Zim to 150, but the latter was bowled by Lesego Senokwane at the end of the 33rd over.
Frost fought hard for his 63 not out but only managed to take Zimbabwe to 235 in 49.5 overs. Wickets by Andile Simelane and Tristan Luus, plus a run-out ended their innings.
South Africa’s batting performance was impressive. An opening stand of 153 between Lesego Senokwane and Modiri Litheko set the foundation for their chase, but both batters lost their wickets quickly. Senokwante (89) fell first in the 23rd over, and Litheko (59) followed on the last ball of the 27th over to reduce SA to 166-2.
Kitime (19) was the final wicket to fall for SA, reducing the visitors to 195-3 after 32.2 overs.
Dian Forrester (38 off 30 balls) and Mihlali Mpongwana (18 off 19 balls) took South Africa Emerging over the line with 73 balls remaining.
