A brilliant century by Kwazulu Natal Inland batsman Sohail Mahmoud was enough to seal a six-wicket victory over Eastern Province in their CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge match at Grey High School on Sunday.
Mahmoud got off to a slow start, but quickly composed himself and got down to business, smashing 11 fours and seven sixes on his way to an unbeaten 122 off 120 balls.
Luke Schlemmer (6) was dismissed in the ninth over, caught by Tiaan Koekemoer off his own bowling with the score on 19 before fellow opener Glenton Stuurman took the wicket of Sithabiso Zungu for 12.
Mahmoud was joined by Grant Roelofsen and together the pair set about chasing down the 226 target set by hosts EP. Mahmoud and Roelofsen put on 19 for the third wicket before Roelofsen (60) was caught by Kaber off the bowling of Koekemoer.
Kyle Nipper was out for 10 thanks to a Koekemoer delivery which upset the woodwork. Earlier, a 109 run partnership by Kelly Smuts and Thomas Kaber led Eastern Province to a respectable 225, having been put in to bat by the visitors.
Inland speedster Gareth Dukes was the star bowler as he picked up five wickets for 26 runs in eight overs, which included two maidens.
The hosts got off to a shaky start, losing their first four wickets inside 12 overs, as Matthew Breetzke (1), Onke Nyaku (14), Mathew Christensen (22) and Lesiba Ngoepe (0) fell victim to Dukes.
Kaber and Smuts batted with class and guile to steady the EP ship before Kaber was trapped leg before wicket off the bowling of Hume with his score on 44 and the total on 153. Smuts backed up a tad too far and was run out after the ball clipped the fingertips of Hume for a well played 68.
Koekemoer (15) was next to fall, caught by Dukes off the bowling of Nduduzo Mfoza, with EP on 184.
Lwandiswa Zuma removed Kenan Smith (6) and Solomzi Nqweni (21) before Dukes wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Stuurman (5).