Zimbabwe ‘A’ – 192 all out in 51 overs (Antum Naqvi 68, Tafadzwa Tsiga 29, Tanunurwa Makoni 23; Michael Frost 3/27, Matt Wareing 2/15, Mo Rizvi 2/33)
Marylebone Cricket Club – 104-2 in 33 overs (Michael Frost 61*, Alistair Frost 24*, Sam Athurton 10; Tinotenda Maposa 2/22)
Day 1 – Stumps: Marylebone Cricket Club trail by 88 runs
Antum Naqvi stood tall for Zimbabwe ‘A’ with a fighting half-century, his gritty 68 forming the backbone of his team’s total of 192 on the opening day of their three-day match against the visiting Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Old Hararians Sports Club on Friday.
However, the tourists closed the day in control, replying confidently to reach 104 for two at stumps – setting up an intriguing battle heading into day two.
Zimbabwe ‘A’, captained by Roy Kaia, won the toss and elected to bat.
The hosts enjoyed a useful opening partnership between Kaia’s cousin Innocent Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni, who put on 38 together before the former was given out lbw to pace bowler Jasper Davidson for 17.
Makoni batted fluently for his 23 before Matthew Wareing bowled him with the score on 54.
Davidson and Alistair Frost then struck again, removing Wessly Madhevere for three and Roy Kaia for two, leaving Zimbabwe ‘A’ in some trouble at 77 for four.
Naqvi, however, remained resolute and found a reliable partner in Tadiwanashe Marumani.
The pair added 57 for the fifth wicket – the highest partnership of the innings – before Marumani was caught off Wareing for 23
Tafadzwa Tsiga provided further support, but when the score reached 160, Naqvi was caught at slip off Michael Frost for a well-compiled 68 from 105 balls, including 11 fours.
No other batter managed to reach 30, as Tsiga was next to fall lbw to Frost for 29 with the score at 184.
The tail folded quickly to the bowling of Michael Frost and Mohammad Rizvi, and Zimbabwe ‘A’ were eventually bowled out for 192.
In reply, MCC lost Sam Arthurton early, lbw to Tinotenda Maposa for 10 with the score on 16.
Maposa struck again soon after, bowling Daniel da Costa for six at 33 for two.
From there, opening batter Michael Frost was joined by his brother Alistair, and together they steadied the innings.
Michael played the dominant hand, reaching 61 not out, while Alistair remained unbeaten on 24 as MCC closed the day on 104 for two – just 88 runs behind with eight wickets in hand.
