adminTwin centuries by Sikandar Raza and Brendan Taylor gave Mashonaland Eagles a one run victory over Manicaland Mountaineers under the Duck Worth Lewis method in a Pro 50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club this afternoon.
The visitors were set a revised target of 272 after rain interupted play and could have clinched a win had they reached 173 runs by the 30th over.
They were 172-4, with Hamilton Masakadza leading the pursuit unbeaten on 93 (83) when rain returned for the second time and it did not subside to give Eagles a crucial narrow win.
Mountaineers needed a good solid start to chase down the score mainly powered by Raza and Taylor who added 179 runs for the 2nd wicket.
But the opposite happened for the visitors as they lost skipper Tino Mawoyo for a duck, bowled Taurai Muzarabani 2/27 (5) with the 5th ball of the innings.
Muzarabani got his second when Kasuza gifted point the easiest of catches, to leave the visitors reeling at 31-2.
It was left to the experienced pair of Masakadza and Matsikenyeri 24 (57) to restart the pursuit and Masakadza put some impetus hitting Muzarabani for a six and four in a row.
After 12 overs veteran umpire Russell Tiffin was replaced by reserve umpire Walter Musakwa after the 55 year old complained of pain in the knee.
The Masakadza- Matsikenyeri union of 69 (72) was progressing well until the latter was caught at short third man trying to dispatch Utseya.
Eagles got another timely break when Garwe got Mutizwa (23)LBW to leave the visitors at 160-4.
Masakadza was moving closer to his hundred when the showers returned.
Earlier on Raza had reached his second hundred in a row, striking 13 fours and a six, while Taylor hit 9 fours and 3 sixes for his 101 after skipper Greg Lamb had elected to bat after winning the toss.
Eagles opened with two in form batsmen Raza and Chibhabha, who could also open the bat for Zimbabwe at the ICC World Cup.
The duo had some troubles against Tendai Chatara and Shingie Masakadza who bowled tight lines.
Chibhabha swallowed nine balls to get off the mark while Raza was dropped by Hamilton at gully off the bowling of his brother Shingie.
The very next ball Chibhabha edged to Hamilton, who grabbed the opportunity at first slip this time.
Eagles managed 26 runs in the first power play as Taylor and Raza looked to get the innings going.
Taylor unfurled some beautiful lofted drives off Donald Tiripano and Shingie Masakadza and amid all the action a dark cloud slowly engulfed the skies and a drizzle strengthened to halt play.
Mountaineers introduced straight on the resumption of the innings which had been reduced to 44-over –match.
Raza brought up their 50 partnership stand with Taylor playing a superb cut for four off the bowling of leg spinner Natsai Mushangwe.
Another cut –shot, this time for a single, brought Raza’s 50 (64) as his union with Taylor swelled.
The two rotated the strike well against spin which had been introduced to both ends with the field spread.
They moved a gear up in their scoring, bludgeoning a massive 63 runs between the 28th and 33rd overs.
It was not yet the batting power play.
Raza was more destructive, punishing anything loose, Taylor joined the carnage and Roy Kaia was the unlucky bowler, leaking 17 runs in one over.
It took Raza 31 balls to his second 50 as he brought up his second ton in a row before falling to Donald Tiripano in the powerplay.
Umpires called drinks soon after, a respite Mountaineers needed after enduring some savage hitting.
They, however, bowled impressively in the powerplay led by Shingie Masakadza (1/34), conceding only 38 runs with one wicket.
But Eagles kept flying with Elton Chigumbura 17(9) blasting 17 off 9 balls as Taylor went on to notch up his century (9 fours, 2 sixes) off 104 balls.
Taylor was soon after deceived by a Tiripano slower ball that he skied to short fine leg.
Another slower ball succumbed for a Ryan Burl who comically top edged a Chatara off break that caught him almost through with his pull shot.
But Eagles had already set a total which they did enough tom defend. Thanks to the rains.
Online Reporter