Brad Evans and Tim Seifert shine as Durban Qalandars register victory over Bulawayo Braves in Match 9

Harare, 23^rd July 2023: The Durban Qalandars produced a scintillating performance in their game against the Bulawayo Braves on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club, defeating them by a whopping 25 runs. For the Qalandars, Brad Evans picked three wickets while Tim Seifert top-scored with 44.

Having been put into bat first, the Durban Qalandars made a solid start as Hazratullah Zazai and Tim Seifert found the fence with relative ease, putting plenty of pressure on the Bulawayo Braves’ bowling.

The openers raced away to the fifty-run mark, eventually putting on a 60-run partnership. Seifert smashed four boundaries and as many sixes in a 14-ball 44 before being the first wicket to fall. Zazai, who scored 21, was the next to depart. After that, Andre Fletcher was looking dangerous at one end and took on the bowlers, much to the joy of the fans present. However, his partner Asif Ali could not kick on and was dismissed for 7.

With the score on 117 in the 9^th over, Fletcher departed for 34, after which Nick Welch (2) and Craig Ervine (12) chipped in with a few quick runs to help the Qalandars post 122/6 in their 10 overs. For the Braves, Tymal Mills bagged a couple of wickets while Sikandar Raza also chipped in with one of his own.

After the breather, the Braves had their task cut out, and could not get off to the fast start that was essential in the situation. Ben McDermott was the first to feel the pressure, and was dismissed for 6, after which Ryan Burl (11) and Thisara Perera (0) followed suit, with all the wickets going to Brad Evans.

Captain Sikandar Raza was the next to walk out and he started off with great intent, smashing a six and boundary off the first two deliveries he faced. At the other end, Ashton Turner was finding it tough to get going and the Braves were continued to be under pressure with the score at 53/3 after 6 overs.

Raza though could not build from there as Tendai Chatara dismissed him for 11 and then picked the wicket of Beau Webster for 6, leaving the Braves reeling at 61/5 after 7 overs. Looking to accelerate, Ashton Turner was the next to depart as he was snapped up by Mohammad Amir for 32, after which Kobe Herft fell for 10, and the Braves fell short by 25 runs.

Brief Scores:

Durban Qalandars – 122/6 (Tim Seifert – 44, Andre Fletcher – 34, Tymal Mills – 2/24, Sikandar Raza – 1/18) won by 25 runs against Bulawayo Braves – 97/7 (Ashton Turner 32, Sikandar Raza – 11, Brad Evans – 3/20, Tendai Chatara – 2/19)