By Zim Sport Live Writer
Leg spinner Brandon Mavuta took a List A career-best six wickets to propel Zimbabwe Emerging to a three-run consolation victory against their South African counterparts in the final match of their three-match one day series in Bulawsyo on Saturday.
Zimbabwe Emerging batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for a paltry 177 runs in 46.3 of their alloted 50 overs, on a spin-friendly pitch at at Queens Sports Club.
Andile Mogakane was impressive with the ball for the visitors, taking five wickets for 22 runs as SA Emerging, who held a 2-0 series lead appeared on course for a series whitewash.
Stand-in captain Modiri Litheko then hit 53 off 52 balls (eight fours, one six) to put the visitors on course for a 3-0 whitewash, but Brandon Mavuta went on a rampage and grabbed 6-39 to send the South Africans tumbling to 174.
They slipped from 139-5 at one stage allowing Zimbabwe Emerging to walk away with a consolatory win.
Apart from that collapse, it was nonetheless another strong showing from Malibongwe Maketa’s side, who also won the two-match four-day series 1-0.
Young fast bowler Dian Forrester (2-24), Player of the Series over the course of those two games, again set his side on the way in this game with two wickets up front to leave the hosts in early trouble on 26-3. There were also two wickets for fellow seamer Codi Yusuf (2-35).
Earlier Emmanuel Bawa (60 off 80 balls; four fours, two sixes) and Tashinga Musekiwa (51* off 46 balls; three fours, three sixes) fought back, but the South Africans were on top at the halfway mark thanks to Mogakane impressive five overs which left the opposition all out in 46.3 overs.
In reply, Litheko and Player of the Series Lesego Senokwane (18) put on 44, before Alex Falao (3-51) threatened to derail the chase.
SA slipped to 101-5, before Mogakane (18) and Ntando Zuma (37) dug in to put their side well on course for a series whitewash.
They took the score to 139-5 and reduced the target to 39 in just over 20 overs with five wickets in hand.
But Zimbabwe international spinner Mavuta delivered some magic that saw the remaining wickets fall for 35, leaving the visitors all out in 40.5 overs.
Additional reporting by SA Cricket Mag