A fine ninth career century by Zubayr Hamza helped the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras stake their claim for the Sunfoil Series title with an eight-wicket win over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
The young right-hander made an unbeaten 109 (182 balls, 19 fours) as the visitors chased down their 227-run victory target with relative ease at the City Oval.
Hamza shared in a 149-run unbroken third-wicket stand with Stiaan van Zyl, who followed his first innings 63 with 66 not out (99 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) in the second innings.
The Cobras always appeared in control during the chase despite losing Pieter Malan (18) when the score was on 27 and Andrew Puttick (20) when they had progressed to 78.
From then onwards, it was the Hamza-Van Zyl show as the target was reached in 65.1 overs, which was just after lunch on day four.
The Dolphins had started the day batting on 260 for eight and they managed to reach 291 thanks to Robbie Frylinck, who was left stranded on 50 (68 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes).
Debutant Junaid Dawood was the pick of the bowlers with three for 74.
The round eight result threw the title race wide open with the Cobras now up to 115.78 points, with the Dolphins moving to 99.4. Only two rounds now remain in the season.
