The Zimbabwean Board XI, including nine players with full international experience, produced a stunning recovery to snatch victory in the final of the UCB Bowl Limited Over Competition.

The visitors were dead and buried on 41 for 5 before a partnership of 144 for the 6th wicket off 164 balls by Arnold Blignaut and Craig Wishart rescued them from a desperate start. Both were run out in the 41st over before captain Paul Strang steered them to victory with just 4 balls to spare.

The recovery was perhaps courtesy of home captain Sean Ackermann when he introduced himself into the attack as the sixth bowler. He was packed away over mid wicket in his first over by Blignaut, and the Zimbabweans, 61 for 5 at the start of the 23rd over needing 155 at 6.7 to the over, never looked back.

Earlier, Hassan Pangarkar played a spectacular innings to form the backbone of the home team's innings, clearing the ropes six times as he raced to 106 off 118 balls. Rashaad Magiet, gaining in confidence after the first three overs of the innings were all maidens, assisted him in putting on 106 for the 2nd wicket.

The Zimbabweans could have made their task easier by holding chances offered by both batsmen to the slips off Mutendera early in the innings. Ultimately it was to be a day for the batsmen as no fewer than 17 sixes were hit on the day.

© CricInfo