Big hitting opening batsman PJ Moor starred with the bat, scoring 76 runs from 58 balls to help Mountaineers to a third Pro50 title with 71 run victory over defending champions Southern Rocks in the final played at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
But it was Zimbabwe allrounder Wellington Masakadza who scooped the man of the match accolade for his 66-run knock and bowling figures of two for 39 as Mountaineers defended a big 308 target.
Mountaineers, who got to the final after finishing second on the log standings of the championship table, won the toss and elected to bat first with opener Moor and Kevin Kasuza set the platform for a big total with 126 run stand.
And it was Moor who was the first to go, caught by Travor Mutsamba off the bowling of Dylan Hondo.
Three more quick wickets from Dylan Hondo saw Mountaineers slump to 132 for four but a 99 run sixth wicket partnership between Masakadza and Donald Tiripano (46) got the innings back on track.
In the end Mountaineers managed to 307 runs on the board for the loss on nine wickets, Hondo finishing figures of four for 25 while Cuthbert Musoko took four wickets for 59.Southern Rocks’ run chase had decent start with Innocence Kaia (82) and Cephas Zhuwao (28) putting up a 48 run opening partnership before the latter was caught by Chatara of the bowling of Victor Nyauchi.
Tadiwanashe Marumani was the next to go after he was clean bowled by Tony Munyonga leaving Rocks on 102 for two.
Sikandar Raza made a significant contribution with the bat scoring 76 runs from 71 balls but it was not enough to help Rocks reach the target.
Having been 200 for three, Rocks lost the remaining seven wickets for just 36 runs to lose the match by 71 runs.
Spinner John Masara was the pick of the bowlers for Mountaineers with four wickets for 43 runs while Masakadza and Munyonga claimed two wickets each.
After shining with both bat and ball in the final, Wellington Masakadza was voted the player of the match.
Kevin Kasuza and PJ Moor opening for Mountaineers #Pro50Championship | #RCKvMOU | #DomesticCricket #Final pic.twitter.com/bXpM9afsRq
— Zimbabwe Cricket Domestic (@zcdomestic) March 13, 2022
Ben Compton, who impressed for Mountaineers during the round-robin stage of the one-day competition before returning to his base in England was named batter of the tournament accolade.
Zimbabwe Test captain Sean Williams of Tuskers claimed the best bowler honours.
Raza was rewarded for his impressive all-round performances as he was named the Pro50 Championship player of the tournament