By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
ZAMBIA yesterday made a disastrous start to the Pepsi International Cricket Council (ICC) Africa Under-19 Division-Two cricket tournament, losing the opening match against Tanzania by 84 runs.
The opening day of the 10-day tournament saw Zambia practically self destruct in a match played at Metropolitan Cricket Club in Lusaka.
After losing the toss, Zambia was sent out to field and saw Tanzania make a modest 183 runs, all out in 42.5 overs.
Whereas the 183 runs looked attainable in their 50 overs inning, the Chetan Reddy captained Zambian side haunted the unprecedented 57 extras they handed Tanzania, 46 of which were wides.
The 57 free runs given out were actually more than what Tanzania top scorer Ayzaz Arshaan made at 38 runs with second highest scorer Rahil Krishna getting 35.
Zambia’s best bowlers were Jonathan Chisembele who picked up three wickets for 27 runs and Reddy who for 35 runs got three wickets.
In reply, Zambians failed to settle at the crease and saw wickets fall at regular intervals and were all out for 99 runs in 39 overs.
The only player to show some resistance for Zambia was Chimwa Chikelwa who recorded 20 runs.
Tormentor in chief was spinner Lazarous Festo who picked five wickets and gave away just 11 runs with Goodluck Tandika picking three wickets for 10 runs.
In another game played at the Lotus Ground, Rwanda beat Mozambique to pulp with a 188 runs win which came after they batted first and scored 275 runs not out in 50 overs. And in reply, Mozambique made 87 runs all out.
Zambia today plays Ghana at Metropolitan ground.