South Africa A lost Monday’s rain-affected limited-overs series opener to the Zimbabwe XI by five runs at the Harare Sports Club.
South Africa A collected a final total of 273 for seven in the allotted 50 overs.
All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo struck 87. He faced 93 deliveries – and hit five fours and four sixes.
Phehlukwayo was supported by captain Heinrich Klaaasen, who struck 58 from 51 deliveries.
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The Zimbabwe XI replied with 266 for six in 48.5 overs before rain ended the fixture.
South Africa A seamer Lizaad Williams and occasional bowler Reeza Hendricks took two wickets each.
The result afforded the hosts an early lead in the three-match series.
The second fixture will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
Stuurman and Lubbe added
Meanwhile, seamer Glenton Stuurman and batsman Wihan Lubbe have been added to the South Africa A squad for the remainder of the one-day series.
“Lutho Sipamla has returned home to South Africa due to an aggravation of his left hamstring injury, which he was recovering well from after incurring it during the Proteas’ Test series against Bangladesh earlier this month. Glenton Stuurman has been called up to replace him,” ” read a statement from Cricket South Africa.
“Ryan Rickelton was released from isolation on Monday morning and is medically cleared to play from the second one-day match against the Zimbabwe XI after he tested positive for Covid-19 upon the team’s arrival in Zimbabwe last week.
“Prenelan Subrayen tested positive for Covid-19 prior to the team’s departure from South Africa and was replaced in the one-day squad by Wihan Lubbe.”