Bulbulia stars as SA u19 Emerging makes it two from two in Zimbabwe
Muhammed Bulbulia was in imperious form, notching his first century of the tour to help South Africa u19 Emerging to a convincing 120-run victory over Zimbabwe u19 Emerging in their 50-over match at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Sunday.
South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat first, rumbled to 333/6 before rolling over Zimbabwe for 213. South Africa now leads the series 2-0, after registering an eight-wicket win over the hosts in their first match.
Bulbulia picked up from where he left off in the opener. In that contest, the Fields College learner scored an unbeaten half-century as South Africa made light work of the total set for them by their hosts. This time around, Bulbulia cracked 10 fours and two sixes on his way to 135 off 129 deliveries.
His 63-run opening partnership with Adnaan Lagadien (34) gave the visitors a solid platform to build from. The 18-year-old then followed that up with a brilliant 80-run second-wicket stand with Jason Rowles (45). South Africa’s strength in the innings was their top order’s ability to string together substantial partnerships.
After Rowles’ dismissal, Bulbulia shared a 100-run partnership with Paul James. With Bulbulia anchoring the innings in his self-assured manner, all of his partners found the freedom to express themselves. James scored a superb 50 from 54 balls as the two batted together until the 41st over.
Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jorich van Schalkwyk, Ben Hockly, and JJ Basson all came in to bat in the last nine overs with the instruction to hit the ball out of the park as the visitors romped to an insurmountable total.
Kirby Madharamete was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, with four wickets for 62 runs, while Matthew Martel and Keith Mabhena bagged a wicket each.
Basson dealt Zimbabwe’s hopes of chasing down the total a crippling double blow in the first over of their innings. The left-arm quick dismissed Rowyn Konson and Dhruv Patel with his third and fifth deliveries. The hosts mounted a fightback with a 53-run third-wicket partnership between Leeroy Chiwaula and Kupakwashe Muradzi.
Rowan Rajah then took a leaf from Basson’s book and delivered a double blow to Zimbabwe’s effort with the dismissals of Chiwaula and Muradzi in the 10th over. The hosts’ propensity to lose wickets in clumps meant that they never made things difficult for the visitors.
Simbarashe Mudzengerere put up a spirited resistance with a well-made 75 from 87 deliveries. However, his single-handed effort was not enough to bring his side close to South Africa’s total.
JJ Basson was the pick of the South African bowlers, with four wickets for 48 runs in 9.1 overs. The left-arm pacer was well-supported by Rowan Rajah and Luke Kleinsmith, who bagged a brace of wickets each. Dayalan Boyce and Paul James dismissed one batsman each.
Summarised Scorecard
South Africa u19 Emerging 333/6 (Muhammed Bulbulia 135, Paul James 51; Kriby Madharamete 4/62); Zimbabwe u19 Emerging 213/10 (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 75, Leeroy Chiwaula 32; JJ Basson 4/48, Rowan Rajah 2/14). South Africa u19 Emerging won by 120 runs.
