The Cape Cobras’ Zubayr Hamza has been in sensational form during the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series, and his double century against the Dolphins earns him Wednesday’s Play of the Day accolade, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.
The Cobras’ title pursuit has been significantly boosted by Hamza’s first innings 201 off 342 balls (20×4, 1×6) against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg as the visitors look to secure a victory on the final day of the competition and claim the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series title for the Cape Town-based team.
READ ALSO: Hamza ton puts Cobras back on top of title race
Hamza walked to the crease in the eighth over with the Cobras on 29-1 in pursuit of the Dolphins’ first innings score of 310 all out. He proved the backbone of the visiting team’s innings as he established half-century stands with Pieter Malan (44 off 81 balls, 6×4) and David Bedingham (37 off 57 balls, 6×4) for the second and third wickets respectively.
His most destructive partnership was alongside the young and promising Kyle Verreynne as the two put together a mammoth 176-run partnership for the fifth wicket, before Hamza lost his wicket to a great catch by Michael Erlank on the cow corner boundary off the bowling of Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo.
DAY 3 | WHAT A STAND
Zubayr Hamza and Kyle Verreynne bring up theor 150-run partnership.
313/3 after 95 overs pic.twitter.com/9EU4aYLDOh
— COBRAS CRICKET (@CobrasCricket) January 30, 2019
The knock saw the Cobras score a blistering 523-7 before declaring in the final session of Day 3, with a 213-run lead after the first innings and an eye on securing the win – and the title – on the final day of the encounter on Thursday.
READ MORE: Shootout on day 4 awaits title contenders
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
