Eagles powered into the final of the Domestic Twenty20 Competition after romping to a seven-wicket victory over Southern Rocks at Old Hararians Sports Club on Tuesday.
The Harare-based side will now face Mountaineers in the final at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Unbeaten Mountaineers were yet again in dominant form after cruising to their fourth successive win with an eight-wicket win over the defending champions Tuskers at Harare Sports Club.
While Mountaineers’ place in the final was already guaranteed ahead of the final round of group matches, it was Eagles’ march to the decisive match which has been remarkable.
After initially looking down and out following successive defeats in their first two matches, Eagles gave themselves a fighting chance with a victory by 48 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method against Rhinos on Monday before the turnaround was completed against Rocks.
Eagles’ spinner Wessely Madhevere claimed three wickets for 22 runs as Eagles restricted Rocks to 145 for six after the Masvingo-based side had won the toss and elected to bat first.
In reply Eagles reached the target in 18.1 overs with Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scoring his maiden T20 half-century after top-scoring with 77 runs off just 53 deliveries.
#DomesticT20 |PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Player of the match Tinashe Kamunhukamwe hit 77 off 53 balls including 8 fours and 2 sixes, with a 145.28 strike rate.#EAGvRKS | #ComeAndCheerYourTeam pic.twitter.com/tuK7vPV1NP
— Zimbabwe Cricket Domestic (@zcdomestic) March 29, 2022
The victory meant the Stuart Matsikenyeri-coached side sneaked past Rhinos into second position on the log due to a superior net run rate.
They however face a tough task in the final against a Mountaineers side that has been enjoying a remarkable campaign thus far as they seek a domestic double after recently winning the Pro50 Championship.
In their final group game at Harare Sports Club, Mountaineers never looked like they were going to slip up, stifling their opponents to a paltry 116 for nine in their allotted 20 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat.
Leg spinner John Masara, who has been enjoying a memorable tournament claimed two wickets for just nine runs while Tendai Chatara (2/20) and skipper Shingi Masakadza (2/34) were equally impressive.
A brilliant innings of 70 not out by opener Kevin Kasuza ensured Mountaineers reached their target with minimum fuss as they romped to a fine victory by eight wickets.
#DomesticT20 | Match 10 | POTM: The Player of the Match is Kevin Kasuza for his match-winning 70* against Tuskers.#TSKvMOU | #ComeAndCheerYourTeam pic.twitter.com/lm1PWihF7z
— Zimbabwe Cricket Domestic (@zcdomestic) March 29, 2022
2021/22 DOMESTIC T20 COMPETITION POINTS TABLE
|
TEAM |
M |
W |
L |
T |
N/R |
PT |
NRR |
|
Mountaineers |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
1.202 |
|
Alliance Health Eagles |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
0.110 |
|
Rhinos |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
-0.170 |
|
Southern Rocks |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
-0.262 |
|
Tuskers |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
-0.751 |