Muhammad Bulbulia’s century set up South Africa U19’s 107-run win against Zimbabwe U19 in Tuesday’s Youth ODI Tri-Series match in Harare.

The captain struck 130 off 93 balls (11 fours, one six) as the tourists amassed 346-9 after they lost the toss and were put in to bat first.

The in-form Jorich van Schalkwyk (63 off 62 balls; six fours) was again among the runs, while Adnaan Lagadien plundered 58 off 36 balls (12 fours).

Enathi Khitshini then claimed 3-34 as the hosts were restricted to 239-9.

It was just the response South Africa were looking for after they were narrowly edged out by the other team in the competition, Bangladesh, by one wicket on Saturday.

They flew out of the blocks thanks to openers Lagadien and Van Schalkwyk, who broke the Youth ODI record for the highest individual score (215) against the same opponents last Friday having made the highest score by an SA U19 batsman (164*) in the game prior against Bangladesh.

Their stand for the first wicket yielded 103 in 13.1 overs, before 43 between the latter and Bulbulia.

The skipper then played a central role, though the only other to cross 20 was co-captain Jason Rowles (24).

The Zimbabweans made a good start of their own to the reply with Nathaniel Hlabangana (47) and Leeroy Chiwaula (17) putting on 60 for the first wicket.

But Khitshini, on as first change, eventually made the breakthrough by trapping the former lbw.

Five runs later he got rid of Chiwaula, with Rowles (2-32) accounting for two more batsmen before the 100 was raised as the home side wobbled.

The two wicket-takers then combined to remove Brandon Senzere (six), caught by Rowles off Khitshini leaving the total on 107-5.

Michael Blignaut led a recovery with 50 off 62 balls (six fours, two sixes), though his dismissal by JJ Basson (2-57) ended all hopes for the Zimbabweans.

Captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere did manage a battling 46, but by then the game was done. He fell to Van Schalkwyk (2-30) as South Africa sealed a big win.

Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket