admin
Brandon Moyo
BRIAN Chari’s sixth first class century has put Tuskers ahead after day two of their 2023/24 Logan Cup match against Eagles which is taking place at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare.
The Tuskers skipper scored a brilliant 155 to help his team breach the 500 run mark before a declaration came after tea. Chari’s brilliant ton was the first of the season. He spent a massive 414 minutes in the field.
His well-batted century, which has put Tuskers in the driving seat in their first match of the season, also became his highest first class score, surpassing his previous best of 128 runs.
The Bulawayo side declared their innings on 503/8 in 155, 3 overs. They started the second day on 257/2 and went on to score 246 runs more in the 65 overs that they batted on the second day. Starting day two in the middle for Tuskers was Milton Shumba and Awad Naqvi.
Shumba went on to be the first to fall on the second day with 22 runs off 44 balls, making way for Chari, who had retired hurt on day one on 88 runs off 159 deliveries. Continuing on 88, Chari went on to reach his milestone before falling on 155 runs off 280 balls.
Naqvi went on to continue with his grind before he fell 11 runs short of his maiden First Class century. The youngster was trapped leg before wicket (lbw) on 89 runs off 265 deliveries. It was his third half century and his career high score, surpassing the previous of an unbeaten 67 runs. Hamid Ali also put up yet another brilliant batting performance, scoring 84 runs from just 98 balls.
This was Ali’s second First Class half century in just his third match (two innings) and has surpassed his previous best of 63 runs. Down the order, Ainsley Ndlovu and Ernest Masuku also put decent scores on the board, which helped propel their team past 500. Ndlovu chipped in with 24 runs from 25 deliveries while Masuku remained undefeated on 17 runs after facing just 12 balls.
At the end of the day’s play yesterday, Eagles were on 82/0 in 21 overs, trailing by 421 runs. Lavert Masunda will continue day three on 18 runs from 58 balls while his opening partner, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe is on 61 runs off 71 deliveries.
In the other match taking place at Mutare Sports Club between Mega Market Mountaineers and Southern Rocks, the latter managed to fight back with the bat having bowled out the former for 400 runs on day one.
Southern Rocks ended the day on 354/5 trailing by 46 runs courtesy of four half centuries from Roy Kaia (74 runs off 88 balls), Innocent Kaia (66 runs off 141 balls), Richmond Mutumbami (58 runs off 111 balls) and Johnathan Campbell (88 runs not out off 111 balls).
The four wickets were taken by Wellington Masakadza (2/98), Salman Mirza (1/71) and Tendai Chatara (1/34).
Online Reporter