A fine half-century by PJ Moor and a superb performance by the pacers helped Mountaineers clinch a 26-run victory against Tuskers in an entertaining Pro50 Championship encounter at Mutare Sports Club on Thursday.
Mountaineers v Tuskers Scorecard
With this victory, Mountaineers finally ended Tuskers’ unbeaten run in the competition after the Bulawayo-based franchise had won their opening four matches ahead of the trip to Mutare.
Put in to bat first Mountaineers were bowled out for 205 runs in 44,2 overs in their allotted 50 overs with fast bowler Ernest Masuku claiming five wickets for 38 runs in 8,2 overs.
Former Zimbabwe international Moor was the top scorer for Mountaineers with 67 off 80 balls, his second half-ton in three innings so far.
Tailender Tinashe Muchawaya scored 35 off 19 balls, batting at number nine while Victor Nyauchi chipped in with an unbeaten 24.
After impressing with the bat, Muchawaya, a former member of the now-defunct Rising Stars Academy, they put on an impressive bowling performance by claiming four wickets for 54 runs in seven overs.
He was well supported by Shingi Masakadza, who claimed three wickets for 27 runs in 5, 3 overs as Tuskers were bowled out for 179 in 32.3 overs.
Ainsley Ndlovu top-scored for Tuskers with 42 and Ernest Masuku with 30 were the standout scorers but their efforts were in vain.
-Third time’s the charm for Eagles –
After succumbing to disappointing losses in their opening two matches in the Pro50 Championship, Alliance Health Eagles finally secured a victory at the third time of asking after beating Southern Rocks by 74 runs at Masvingo Sports Club on Thursday.
Southern Rocks v Alliance Health Eagles Scorecard
After being sent in to bat first, Eagles rode an impressive 180-run opening partnership between Tadiwanashe Marumani and England-based former Zimbabwe youth international Nick Welch to 305 in 49, 5 overs.
Marumani missed out on back-to-back tons as he fell two runs short of his second century in three innings after being dismissed by Cephas Zhuwao, who also claimed the wicket of Welch when he was on 90.
.@trmarumani falls two runs short of a second List A ton 😢
#EAGvRCK | #Pro50Championship | #DomesticCricket pic.twitter.com/tr9zJmkNxV
— Zimbabwe Cricket Domestic (@zcdomestic) October 13, 2022
After the pair’s dismissal, Eagles lost wickets at regular intervals but there were some meaningful contributions from Kudzai Maunze, who scored 35 from 30 balls while Hamid Ali and Faraz Akram contributed 26 and 25 respectively.
Sydney Murombo was the pick for the Rocks’ bowlers after claiming three wickets for 48.
Zhuwao, who removed the dangermen finished with three wickets for 57 runs. Cuthbert Musoko conceded 39 runs for his two wickets.
In reply Rocks lost the wickets of Zhuwao (2), Brian Curran (0) and Brian Mudzinganyama (20) inside eight overs with just 35 runs on the board fast bowler Tawanda Dzikiti wrecked havoc.
The hosts’ middle order showed some fight with through half centuries from Tafadzwa Tsiga (57) and William Mashinge (51) while Richmond Mutumbami (39) and Blessed Mutize (37) also made meaningful contributions, but it was not enough as they were bowled out for 241 after 48.1 overs.
Dzikiti took five for 67 while Tanaka Chivanga claimed three wickets for 24.
| TEAM | M | W | L | D | PT | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUSKERS | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 0.438 |
| RHINOS | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0.078 |
| MOUNTAINEERS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0.047 |
| EAGLES | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.107 |
| ROCKS | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -0.642 |