Bandile Mbatha claimed an incredible 5-16 to bowl South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men to a massive 226-run win over Zimbabwe Under-19 in their latest Youth one-day international (YODI) tri-series outing in Harare on Monday.
The paceman was outstanding for the tourists with his figures coming in a miserly seven overs, one being a maiden, with hosts bundled out for just 77 chasing 304.
There were other strong performances too for the junior side with Muhammad Bulbulia (75 off 68 balls, 11 fours), Adnaan Lagadien (53 off 72 balls, 6 fours), Vihan Pretorius (52 off 57 balls, 4 fours) and Daniel Bosman (54* off 50 balls, 6 fours) all recording half-centuries at Harare Sports Club.
Dolphins’ teenager Mbatha then made the ball talk, and with excellent support from Paul James (3-5), dismantled the Zimbabweans in just 23.5 overs for a resounding win.
The result saw the South Africans to the top of the table ahead of their final group phase match-up with Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The two teams will also meet in the final on Sunday.
Malibongwe Maketa’s side have been growing in confidence as the tournament has progressed and after easing past Bangladesh in their last meeting on Thursday, they again looked assured and clinical.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the batters were all on song.
Openers Bulbulia and Lagadien put on a solid 129 for the opening wicket, before Armaan Manack (43) picked up the mantle in a stand worth 58 with Pretorius.
The latter also added 50 with Bosman, who then applied the finishing touches that carried the visitors to 303 for six in their allotted overs.
The Zimbabwean reply began well thanks to top-scorer Dhruv Patel (21) as they reached 29 in the fifth over. But once Rowyn Konson (8) fell to JJ Basson (1-19), Mbatha outsmarted the hosts.
He cleaned up both Jayden Matsikenyeri (15) and Benny Zuze (0) from successive deliveries, before removing Patel in the same way.
Skipper Ambitious Muduma (4) and Tatenda Banda (2) were next to follow, allowing for Mbatha to complete his five-for with Zimbabwe slipping to 58 for six.
James’s three and Enathi Khitshini (1-3) helped wipe out the tail, sealing a resounding win for the South Africans.
SQUAD AGAINST ZIMBABWE AND BANGLADESH
Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, KZN Inland), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Vihan Pretorius (Titans), Ntando Soni (Warriors) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
RESULTS
Friday, 25 July
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 278 runs – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare
Saturday, 26 July
South Africa U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 1 wicket – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare
Monday, 28 July
Zimbabwe U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 91 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Tuesday, 29 July
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 107 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Thursday, 31 July
Bangladesh U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 5 wickets – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Friday, 1 August
Zimbabwe U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 8 wickets – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Monday, 4 August - 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 226 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 6 August - 09:15
South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Friday, 8 August - 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare
Sunday, 10 August - 09:15
Number 1 v Number 2 – Harare Sports Club, Harare