A middle-order collapse proved to be the downfall of SA Emerging as they suffered a three-run defeat in their final match of their tour to Zimbabwe on Saturday – the only loss of the five-match trip which was played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Holding an unassailable 2-0 series lead in the three-match one-day series, the visitors bowled first after losing the toss with Andile Mogakane starring with the ball by taking 5-22 to restrict the hosts to 177.
Stand-in captain Modiri Litheko then hit 53 off 52 balls (eight fours, one six) to put the visitors on course for a 3-0 whitewash, but Brandon Mavuta went on a rampage and grabbed 6-39 to send the South Africans tumbling to 174.
They slipped from 139-5 at one stage allowing Zimbabwe Emerging to walk away with a consolatory win.
Apart from that collapse, it was nonetheless another strong showing from Malibongwe Maketa’s side, who also won the two-match four-day series 1-0.
Young fast bowler Dian Forrester (2-24), Player of the Series over the course of those two games, again set his side on the way in this game with two wickets up front to leave the hosts in early trouble on 26-3. There were also two wickets for fellow seamer Codi Yusuf (2-35).
Emmanuel Bawa (60 off 80 balls; four fours, two sixes) and Tashinga Musekiwa (51* off 46 balls; three fours, three sixes) fought back, but the South Africans were on top at the halfway mark thanks to Mogakane impressive five overs which left the opposition all out in 46.3 overs.
In reply, Litheko and Player of the Series Lesego Senokwane (18) put on 44, before Alex Falao (3-51) threatened to derail the chase.
SA slipped to 101-5, before Mogakane (18) and Ntando Zuma (37) dug in to put their side well on course for a series whitewash.
They took the score to 139-5 and reduced the target to 39 in just over 20 overs with five wickets in hand.
But Zimbabwe international spinner Mavuta delivered some magic that saw the remaining wickets fall for 35, leaving the visitors all out in 40.5 overs.
Photo: @ZimCricketv/X
