DEFENDING champions Fazak Zimbabwe made a perfect at the Old Mutual Heath Streak Twenty20 Africa Cricket Cup with victory with two matches they played at the Under-14 tournament at the Heath Streak Academy yesterday.

Zimbabwe defeated Botswana by 77 runs and Namibia by seven wickets with some exceptional displays produced by the local youngsters who are under the tutelage of Mxolisi Dube and Shaun Joseph.

Rayroyce Sibanda top scored with 52 runs, his opening partner Harry Streak, son of national team coach Heath who was part of the spectators was second best with an unbeaten 48 as Zimbabwe made 152 for two in 20 overs against Botswana. Leg spinner Alastair Conolly picked up five wickets for 15 runs in four overs, skipper Mgcini Ndlela took two wickets, the same number as Adriel Dube as Botswana were bowled out for 75 runs in 15.5 overs, their highest score coming from Brandon Rouse with 12.

In Zimbabwe’s second fixture of the day, Namibia batted first, compiled 114 runs for nine in 20 over with Xander van Niekerk’s 42 the highlight of their innings. Conolly, Ndlela and Thabo Sinala had two wickets apiece. Zimbabwe chased down their target to win in 14.1 overs, Streak the highest run scorer with 29, Ndlela made 27 while Sibanda contributed 22. 

In the other match played on Saturday, Namibia defeated Zambia by 20 runs. The tournament continues on Sunday with Zimbabwe playing just one fixture against Zambia. Botswana have two matches lined against Namibia and Zambia. The final day of matches is on Tuesday where national cricket team captain Graeme Cremer and Old Mutual Insurance Company managing director Donald Muthe will be the guests at the awards ceremony.

Joseph Rego, the Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy Trust chief executive and executive director said due to the popularity of the tournament, they will now be forced to have it yearly in Bulawayo and Harare. The first edition took place on Africa Day in 2015 with Zimbabwe beating South Africa in the final that was witnessed by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

@Mdawini_29