Manicaland need 268 runs to win in Mutare

After the third day's play in the match between Manicaland and Matabeleland at Mutare Sports Club, Manicaland found themselves on the back foot after having taken a first-innings lead of 149. A greatly improved second-innings by Matabeleland left Manicaland with a target of 268, but negative batting saw them lose three wickets for only 45 runs by the close.

The overnight Matabeleland pair of Mark Vermeulen and Gavin Rennie batted with great responsibility to add 143 altogether. Manicaland hopes were raised when three wickets fell with the total on 260, two of them to Alec Taylor, but Andre Hoffman, positive as ever, and Mluleki Nkala, playing a responsible innings, led a recovery that took Matabeleland to a total of 416. Gary Brent as usual was the most consistent of the bowlers, while Richie Sims took three wickets but was expensive.

With 26 overs to be bowled until the close, Manicaland decided to play for the next day, and lived to regret it. This enabled the visitors to control the proceedings and snatch three wickets before the close. Manicaland went into the final day facing an uphill task.