SENIOR batsmen Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza scored half-centuries to power Zimbabwe to a five-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea with 57 balls to spare in an International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier warm-up match at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Thursday. 

Masakadza made 54 while Taylor contributed 52 with both batsmen retired out as Zimbabwe scored 196 for five in 40.3 overs. This was after they had bowled out PNG for 195 in 49.4 overs with their high score coming from opener Vani Morea who scored 58 runs.

PNG won the toss and opted to bat with their opening pairing of Morea and Lega Siaka yielding 36 runs. Off-spinner Sikandar Raza was the most outstanding bowler with two wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs. There were also two wickets apiece for left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro and Blessing Muzarabani.

In their run chase, Zimbabwe lost Cephas Zhuwao who fell for 11 runs, dismissed by leg-spinner Mahuru Dai. Fellow opener Solomon Mire, Masakadza, Taylor made brought some sanity into the Zimbabwean run chase.

Craig Ervine finished things off with an unbeaten 22 while Peter Moor was also not out on 13 as Zimbabwe recorded a convincing win.

It was Zimbabwe’s only warm-up match after their clash with Ireland was abandoned due to a waterlogged outfield at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

The victory will be a huge morale booster for the Chevrons ahead of the start of the tournament on Sunday. Zimbabwe opens their campaign with a clash against ICC World Cricket League Division Two runners-up Nepal at Queens Sports Club.

@Mdawini_29