Online ReporterBrandon Moyo
AN exciting conclusion to the 2024/25 Pro50 Championship awaits as Mega Market Mountaineers are set to face off with last season’s finalists, Rhinos in what promises to be an exhilarating final on March 16.
New kings of Zimbabwe’s List A will be crowned as defending champions, Eagles failed to make the top two following the conclusion of the round-robin matches on Monday. Eagles were up against Rhinos at the 2023/24 final.
For Rhinos, the upcoming final will be a second bite at the cherry and they will be hoping to get it right this time around while Mountaineers will also be looking at taking the coveted silverware back to Mutare Sports Club.
Mountaineers won the Pro50 Championship back to back in 2021/22 and 2022/23. The venue for the final is yet to be announced by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).
Going into the last round of matches on Monday, Rhinos had already booked their spot in the final. Mountaineers booked their place in the final courtesy of a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Harare-based franchise Eagles on Monday.
Tied on eight points prior to that match, the two sides had equal chances of reaching the final going into the last round-robin matches on Monday.
But the two-wicket victory ensured that Mountaineers booked a place in the final of the 2024-25 season Pro50 championship with Rhinos.
After winning the toss, the Mountaineers put in the Eagles to bat first. The hosts had an early break as they claimed their first wicket in the second over.
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was bowled out by Victor Nyauchi. At this stage, the Eagles had five runs on board.
Mountaineers were to strike again in the fourth over, dismissing Rodney Mupfudza. After losing two quick wickets, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Kudzai Maunze combined well for the third wicket partnership and scored 98 runs off 111 balls.
The partnership was broken in the 23rd over following the dismissal of Marumani, who was sent out after scoring an impressive 74 runs off 70 balls.
Maunze kept the hopes of the Pro50 defending champions alive with a ton. He was dismissed in the 44th over after scoring 106 runs from 104 balls.
Wesley Madhevere was the Eagles’ third highest run scorer with 34 runs off 23 balls. Eagles were bowled out for 280 runs in 47.2 overs.
Out to chase a target of 281, Mountaineers had a similar start as that of their opponents as they lost their first wicket after 11 balls and went on to lose their second one inside four overs.
But Mountaineers found their footing in the match as the trio of Nicholas Welch, Mufandauya, and Alistar Frost scored half centuries to help the Mutare-based side chase down the target.
Mufandauya top scored with 71 runs off 78 balls, followed by Frost, who contributed 60 runs off 76 balls, with Welch scoring 57 off 48.
The match went to the wire, which saw Mountaineers requiring two off two balls. Nyauchi nudged a single be-fore Chatara sealed the victory with another single, sparking jubilant celebrations.
