An impressive performance by the left-arm quick bowler Kwena Maphaka saw South Africa thump Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to achieve a big win in Super Sixes of the Under-19 World Cup. But it was Maphaka’s remarkable bowling spell of 5 for 34 that completely demolished the Zimbabwean batting forcing them to a pitiable total of 102. South Africa did not leave the target untouched; it pursued them and ensured that they got through in less than 14 overs.
The first misfortune for Zimbabwe was that they found themselves in desperate state early on with 16 for 4 down by the fifth over, off Maphaka’s three wickets. He brought powerful speeches that resulted in the dropping of Brandon Sunguro and Campbell Macmillan without making runs at all. Despite the fifty partnership that Ronak Patel and Ryan Kamwemba tried to steady these innings, their attempts were in vain.
Tristan Luus, South Africa’s right-arm quick, further eroded Zimbabwe’s aspirations by scooping up Ronak Patel for a swift 32 with no heads left before removing the captain of Matthew Schonken duck. This led to Zimbabwe’s collapse, dropping 6 wickets for only 33 runs given Maphaka and Luus masterminded a lower order downfall.
The opening pair of Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Steve Stolk from South Africa opened the game with a ferocious start, adding runs through boundaries to any extent. In the first four overs, the team raced to 42 while by the time powerplay had ended, they had gathered 86. Despite Sotlk’s dismissal for a great 37, Pretorius went on the rampage bringing up his half-century off 48 balls.
South Africa clinched the match victory with one over to spare when David Teeger sealed it after his timely contribution in the 14th over which demonstrated their superiority. This dominant victory allowed South Africa to finish second in Group 2, bringing a new life into their net run rate with this tournament.
