Franchise side Rhinos won their first Domestic T20 Competition title after beating Eagles by 49 runs in a thrilling final at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Record champions Eagles , who have four wins in the tournament and have reached the final in the last five events, went into the match as favourites for victory.
Rhinos, who lost in the final to Eagles back in 2023 got their revenge after winning the toss and elected to bat first before posting 174 for 9, setting their opponents a target of 175 to win.
Eagles who lost in the final against English County side Durham last year could only manage 125 runs.
Captain Antum Naqvi led from the front with bat for Rhinos, scoring 50 runs from just 32 balls while Tashinga Musekiwa contributed a quick fire 33 from 13 balls to help the team set a competitive total.
Victory Chirwa also added 27 runs, Nyasha Mayabo a run a ball 22 and Takudzwa Kaitano 13
Richard Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers for Eagles claiming figures of 2/15 while Tinotenda Mapisa managed 2/42.
Eagles did not get the best of start in the chase after losing two wickets inside the first four overs, Tadiwanashe Marumani going for 11 trapped lbw by Bradley Evans before Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was dismissed by Chirwa for 9.
They continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and in the end Craig Ervine was the top scorer with 21 runs in the unsuccessful run chase as Eagles finished on 125/6 after their allotted 20 overs.
Wessley Madhevere (19) and Tony Munyonga (17) were other notable contributions to the innings.
Evans’ bowling figures of 2/16 were the best for Rhinos while Naqvi also took two wickets for 19 and Hendricks Macheke 2 /28.
