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Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S teenage stars continued their fine showing at the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a six-wicket victory over Canada in their opening Group C match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery 1 in Abu Dhabi.The victory follows the teenagers’ sensational three-wicket victory over Australia in a warm-up match and coincides with the resumption of domestic cricket back home where the players’ strike ended on Thursday.

Good batting performances from Zimbabwe’s top and middle order batsmen Joylord Gumbie and Charles Kunje were the mainstay as they reached 195-4 after 43.5 overs in response to a target of 192-9.

Canada was sent to bat after losing the toss, posting their 192 runs in their alloted 50 overs. Nikhil Dutta was the pillar of their innings scoring 56 runs from 97 balls assisting in two half century partnerships for the third and fourth wicket.

Zimbabwe skipper Malcom Lake’s strategy of using more than five bowlers paid off handsomely as right-arm off spinner Tinashe  Kamunhukamwe destroyed Canada’s middle and lower order for his three wickets for 17 runs in four overs.

Prince Edward School’s right-arm off spinner Herbert Chikomba made full use of sub-continent conditions with economic figures of two wickets for 21 runs in 10 overs.

An opening stand of 95 runs between Tarisai Musakanda and Joylord Gumbie was broken in the 16th over when Musakanda was bowled out for 33.

Gumbie was trapped the next over falling one run short of a half century when he perished on 49 after facing 63 deliveries.
Kamunhakamwe contributed with the bat as well, pairing with Charles Kunje for a 40-run partnership for the third-wicket, and was run out for 24 in the 30th over.

Kunje finished the innings unbeaten with 42 runs with Luke Jongwe unbeaten on 25 with 37 balls remaining. Zimbabwe will be hoping to continue with their fine run when they take on the West Indies in their second Group C match on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

The Windies will be on a mission to bounce back from their 94-run loss to South Africa.