Ndlela in form as Zim beat Scotland

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter

SAKHUMUZI Ndlela as well as Tadiwanashe Marumani were in superb form for the Zimbabwe Under-19 who thrashed Scotland by eight wickets in their last group match at the International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup played at the Witrand Oval in Potchefstroom, South Africa yesterday.

Pace bowler Ndlela took four wickets for 27 runs in seven overs, two of his overs not costing any runs as Scotland were blown away for 140 in 37.2 overs. Opening batsmen Marumani struck 12 fours and four sixes to top score with 85 runs off 55 deliveries, Zimbabwe losing just two wickets on their way to victory with 149 deliveries to spare.

Ndlela, the son of former Highlanders Football Club chairman, Themba Ndlela and ex-Falcon College student destroyed Scotland early into their innings as he reduced them to 18 for the loss of four wickets in the seventh over. The Scots did recover with Kess Sajjad their highest run scorer with 68 runs and the 28 from Daniel Cairns one of the reasons why they got to the score they eventually compiled.

In their run chase, Zimbabwe lost vice-captain Wesley Madhevere earlier for 14 and Marumani was the last batsmen to be dismissed with just two runs required. Milton Shumba was the second highest run scorer with an unbeaten 37 runs.

Zimbabwe finished third in their group and face Canada on Tuesday in a Plate quarterfinal at Ibbies Oval in Potchefstroom.

@Mdawini_29