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From left Alastair Conolly, Ray-Royce Sibanda, Harry Streak

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE successfully defended the Old Mutual Heath Streak Twenty20 Africa Cricket Cup with a nine wicket win over Botswana in the Under-14 tournament final played at the Heath Streak Academy on Tuesday.

The Fazak Zimbabwe bowlers restricted Choppies Botswana to 90 runs for seven in 20 overs.

Liam Potgieter top scorer with 21 runs for Botswana. Leg spinner Alastair Conolly was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with three wickets, while Mgcini Dube took two.

In their run chase, the Zimbabwe youngsters only lost the wicket of Harry Streak for 10 runs. Leading run scorer in the tournament, Ray-Royce Sibanda top scored with 34 not out, with Conolly also unbeaten on 29 runs as the boys sealed victory in 14.4 overs.

Andre van Niekerk of Namibia was named the tournament’s most valuable player for his eight-wicket haul and 81 runs.

Sibanda, who scored 174 runs at an average of 34, and Streak, with 156 runs at 31.2, shared the best batsman’s award after a brilliant display over the four days.

Conolly, with 11 wickets, was the best bowler, Vansh Patel of Zambia was adjudged the most outstanding wicketkeeper. Zimbabwe captain Mgcini Ndlela shared the award for the best catches with Brendon Rouse of Botswana. Adrien Mupembe of Botswana finished the tournament with the most sixes after clearing the boundary three times, while Renvier Bosman of Namibia took home the fair play award.

Zimbabwe national cricket team captain Graeme Cremer as well as Old Mutual Insurance managing director Donald Muthe presented the awards.

Joseph Rego, the Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy Trust chief executive officer and executive director said due to the popularity of the tournament, they would now have it annually in Bulawayo and Harare.

The first edition took place in Bulawayo on Africa Day in 2015, with Zimbabwe beating South Africa in the final that was watched by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

@Mdawini_29