adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
AFTER maintaining pole position throughout the season, Mutare’s domestic cricket franchise, Mountaineers, will hope to clinch the 2015/16 Logan Cup in the final match against Mashonaland Eagles that ends tomorrow (Saturday) in Harare.
The side will hope to break its second-place jinx this season of falling to Eagles in last encounters.
In the Pro50 Championship, Mountaineers last month ended on second place behind Eagles who were the defending champions.
The Mountain Goats last won the Logan Cup in the 2013/14 season when they clinched a historic double cup victory after winning the Pro50 Championship as well.
Last year they were the tail-enders in the Logan Cup and coach Shepherd Makunura will be definitely hoping to win his first trophy since joining the Mutare franchise last season.On the other hand, had the Mountain Goats won last week’s match against Tuskers, they would have won the Logan Cup with a round to spare. As it is, they entered the final match against Eagles still at the top of the table, but by only two points over Eagles (19).
This will mean that the team that wins that match will win the Logan Cup this season.
However, if there is a draw, Matabeleland Tuskers (17) can still retain the cup if they beat Mid-West Rhinos in the match being played on the same day in Bulawayo given the close points margin.
Makunura on Wednesday said he was hoping to make amends in the Logan Cup and clinch it this season.
“The side has been playing well as a team this season and deserves to win. Even our fielding has improved compared to last year.
It will be a close encounter but I remain optimistic to produce positive results,” said Makunura.
The side will hope to perform exceptionally well without its key players, Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza and Tendai Chatara who are on national duty preparing for the ICC World T20 being hosted by India next week from Tuesday to April 3.
Their opening batsman, Sibanda was the driving force throughout the season and is currently in the top three of cricketers with the most runs this season.
However, fast-medium seamer, Shingi Masakadza will be expected to be inspirational given his perfect form throughout the season.
Shingi is currently in the top three cricketers with the most wickets.
He has 19 wickets and narrowly trails behind Rhino’s Carl Mumba with 20 wickets and Eagles Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi with 21 wickets.
Online Reporter