Patron's XI romp to victory

Zimbabweans 324 (Taylor 141) and 167 (Anjum 3-26, Amjad 3-39) lost to PCB Patron's XI 529 for 9 dec by an innings and 38 runs
Scorecard

It took the Pakistan Cricket Board Patron's XI under an hour to wrap up a comfortable innings-and-38-run victory over the touring Zimbabweans, as both Iftikhar Anjum and Mansoor Amjad finished with three wickets apiece. Despite a maiden first-class hundred from Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe had finished the third day just two wickets away from defeat, and there was to be no reprieve on the final morning.

Taylor top-scored with 141 as Zimbabwe managed 324 all out in their first innings, but the Patron's XI fast bowlers dominated day three, sharing the wickets as Zimbabwe then collapsed to 142 for 8, still 63 runs behind.

Resuming 10 runs away from the milestone this morning, Taylor went to his century during a 42-run partnership with Tatenda Taibu, his captain. But once their stand was broken, wickets fell regularly, and Zimbabwe were 279 for 9 before a cameo innings from Graeme Cremer, the 18-year-old legspinner, took them past 300 to a fairly respectable score.

However, Zimbabwe couldn't escape the follow-on, and they were soon in trouble in their second innings, with the makeshift opening pair, Vusi Sibanda and Stuart Matsikenyeri, both dismissed before the score had passed 20. Obviously trying to give all his batsmen some time in the middle, Taibu played around with his batting order, sending Taylor down the order. Not that it mattered, as Taylor was soon at the crease anyway, with Dion Ebrahim, Alester Maragwede and Mark Vermeulen all making starts, but failing to capitalise. Taylor failed the second time round, though, and the Patron's XI wrapped up a resounding victory.

After this match, the next item on Zimbabwe's challenging agenda will be the opening one-dayer of the Paktel Cup, against Pakistan, on September 30 at Multan.