Masakadza’s Magic Offers Glimmer of Hope

Witness Runodada ZimNow reporter

Wellington Masakadza produced a career-best performance with the ball on Monday, claiming 4 for 98 in a tireless display that briefly stalled South Africa’s charge on day three of the first Test at Queens Sports Club. Despite his heroics, Zimbabwe face a mountain to climb, requiring a near-impossible 505 runs to win with nine wickets in hand.

Masakadza’s four-wicket haul was the highlight of a grinding day for Zimbabwe, as South Africa posted a daunting second-innings total of 369. With the declaration already having yielded a massive lead of 537 runs, the pressure was squarely on Zimbabwe’s bowlers to limit further damage.

Though South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder stole the headlines with a masterful 147, it was Masakadza who won admiration for his perseverance and precision on a largely unresponsive track. The left-arm spinner bowled with guile and heart, exploiting whatever turn was on offer and showing impressive control across 27 overs.

Masakadza broke a crucial 72-run partnership between Mulder and David Bedingham, luring the latter into a mistimed pull shot that was safely pouched at midwicket by Sean Williams. He then went on to dismiss Kyle Verreynne with a beauty that turned sharply and took the edge, and later claimed the scalps of Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj to bring South Africa’s innings closer to a close.

“It felt good to contribute when the team really needed someone to step up,” said Masakadza. “We knew they were going to come hard, but I just focused on bowling in the right areas and staying patient.”