Zim Under-19s power past SA to reach World Cup plate final

Richard Ngarava produced a virtuoso performance as Zimbabwe blitzed South Africa into submission to claim an eight-wicket win in their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup plate championship semi-final played today at Sheik Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground in Bangladesh’s port town of Cox’s Bazar.

The 18-year-old left-arm seamer was nearly unplayable, grabbing four wickets while conceding just 10 runs in the nine overs he bowled, including two maidens, at a stupendous economy rate of 1.11.

Putting in South Africa to bat first turned out to be an inspired decision as the Zimbabwe teenagers fired from all cylinders, bowling like they were possessed and fielding as if their lives depended on it.

Rugare Magarira, an exponent of the rare art of left-arm chinaman bowling, bagged two wickets, while the quartet of William Mashinge, Wesley Madhevere, Kundai Matigimu and Brandon Mavuta each claimed a wicket apiece as South Africa folded for 91 in 39.5 overs.

Zimbabwe needed just 22 overs to reach the target, in the process losing only the opening pair of Shaun Snyder and Brendan Sly for 10 and 16 runs respectively – the duo shared a 30-run stand for the first wicket.

Looking to make short work of South Africa, Snyder perished when he flicked Dayyaan Galiem straight to square-leg fielder Rivaldo Moonsamy.

With 12 more runs added on the board, Sly’s wicket fell to a stunning one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne after the batter swung at and thin-edged Wiaan Mulder’s delivery between keeper and slip.

Ryan Murray and Jeremy Ives, however, came in to finish the business of the day unbeaten, contributing 26 and 34 runs respectively, as Zimbabwe put their neighbours to the sword in emphatic fashion.

While it was a brilliant all-round performance from Stephen Mangongo’s charges, the Zimbabwe bowlers definitely made it plain sailing.

As early as the third over, with only two runs on the board, South Africa were one wicket down after Verreynne edged Ngarava to wicketkeeper Murray.

It only got worse for South Africa when they lost Liam Smith, Mulder and Galiem for a total of three runs to leave the innings crumbling at 12 for four.

So dominant were the Zimbabwe bowlers that the 29-run fifth-wicket stand shared by Moonsamy and Tony de Zorzi was South Africa’s best partnership.

After Moonsamy was stumped on 32 – the highest contribution by a South African batter – their only other double-figure scores were Luke Philander’s 15 and Sean Whitehead’s 14.

Following the massive win, Zimbabwe will face either New Zealand or Afghanistan in the plate championship final – also known as the ninth place play-off – scheduled for February 12 at Sheik Kamal International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground in Cox’s Bazar.

A good look for head coach Mangongo, bowling coach Prosper Utseya and batting coach Greg Lamb

South Africa Under-19s – 91 in 39.5 overs (Rivaldo Moonsamy 32, Luke Philander 15; Richard Ngarava 4/10, Rugare Magarira 2/11)

Zimbabwe Under-19s – 94 for 2 in 22 overs (Jeremy Ives 34*, Ryan Murray 26*; Wiaan Mulder 1/10, Dayyaan Galiem 1/22)