Advantage Mashonaland thanks to Taibu hundred

Matabeleland 220 and 34 for 2 need another 431 runs to beat Mashonaland 331 and 353 for 3 (Taibu 100*, Mufambisi 65*, Chibhabha 55)
Scorecard

Tatenda Taibu: unbeaten 100 to follow his first-innings 91 © Getty Images

Mashonaland captain Tatenda Taibu's third hundred of his career left Matabeleland facing an unlikely target of 465 to win their Logan Cup match after a rain-affected third day at Bulawayo Athletic Club.

Taibu declared the Mashonaland's innings on 352 for 4 straight after completing his 249-ball century in 274 minutes. He received good support from Chamunorwa Chibhabha (55)and Tafadzwa Mufambisi (65 not out). By the premature close, Matabeleland had staggered to 34 for 2, still 431 short of victory.

Mashonaland resumed on 142 for 3, and Taibu and Chibhabha shared in a 97-run fourth-wicket stand before Chibhabha perished driving offspinner Gavin Ewing to midwicket where Mark Vermeulen took a brilliant catch (230 for 4).

Mufambisi joined Taibu as Mashonaland continued to stretch their lead. Taibu reached his half century from 132 balls in 146 minutes, going on to complete his hundred with a delicate cut off Ewing.

Matabeleland were in trouble with just nine runs on board when Terrence Duffin, who scored a half century in the first innings, fell to Waddington Mwayenga for 1, beautifully held in the slips by Mufambisi. Wisdom Siziba and Sean Williams shared in a stand of 20 before Siziba was dismissed leg-before to Elton Chigumbura for 11.

Bad light and drizzle brought an early finish, and heavier rain fell during the evening to offer Matabeleland their only realistic chance of escape.