Muzarabani’s five-for leads Northerns to victory over Southerns

Blessing Muzarabani produced a brilliant bowling spell as he led his Northerns side to a five wicket victory via DLS in a Regional Pro50 match against Southerns at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

The match was the first of three, as the players throw their hat in the ring for consideration for selection for the Sri Lanka Tour in a few weeks.

Northerns won the toss and decided to bowl on a wicket which assisted the seamers.

It didn’t take long for the first wicket to fall, and they saw the back of Innocent Kaia trapped leg before by Tendai Chatara.

After that, the Muzarabani show started as he accounted for Craig Ervine (15), Wessly Madhevere (0), Takudzwanashe Kaitano (16) and Tino Mutombodzi (4) as Southerns were reduced to 49 for the loss of five after 9.6 overs.

Wicket-keeper, Clive Madande and Luke Jongwe did not bother the scorers, falling to Donald Tirpano.

Sikandar Raza and Wellington Masakadza provided some resistance, putting on 52 for the eighth wicket. Burl got the former for 26. Muzarabani returned to dismiss Raza for 36.
Tanaka Chivanga was the last to go, bowled for two by Burl.

Muzarabani returned five for 21, Burl two for nine and Tirpano two for 15 as Southerns were bowled out for 114 in 28 overs.

Rain meant two overs were lost and, the revised target was 113.

Kevin Kasuza and Regis Chakabva’s opening stand garnered 43 runs. Kasuza departed for nine out to Richard Ngarava caught Mutombodzi. The double act returned to remove Chakabva for 27,

Tadiwanashe Marumani was more watchful than his reputation suggests for his 11. On the other end, Timycen Maruma went out for a two-ball duck of Jongwe’s bowling. Chivanga then sent Marumani’s middle stump for a walk.

Milton Shumba and Burl then steadied the ship and, by the time the former went for 14, Northerns needed only nine to win.

They got to their target after 20.4 overs, with Burl unbeaten on 29, along with Tony Munyonga on 6.

Ngarava took two for 28, while Raza was one for 21, Chivanga one for 27 and Jongwe one for 28.

The second match is on Wednesday and the third Friday.