Eagles crowned 2024 Fifty50 Champions

Blessing Malinganiza

Eagles Women’s cricket team were crowned the Fifty50 2024 women’s champions after edging Bulawayo-based franchise Tuskers by five wickets in the title deciding match at Old Hararians Sports Club yesterday.

The two teams went into yesterday’s match tied on 40 points.

A win by either would see either team being crowned champions for the 2024 season.

In the end it was Eagles who prevailed over their rivals with five wicket victory to clinch their third consecutive title of the Fifty50 Challenge.

Yesterday’s win saw Eagles stamping their dominance on the local scene taking their wins to three titles since the inception of the tournament four years ago.

With both sides vying for victory, Tuskers won the toss and elected to bat first

It was not to be the best of starts for Tuskers as they lost their first wicket with the second ball of the innings, losing Natsaha Mtomba in the process for a duck.

Veteran batter Taseem Granger half-century of 71 balls was in vain as she lacked support of her teammates who failed to reach double figures.

It was Granger and Lindrose Masina who managed to score double figures with latter scoring 13 runs of 39 balls while Granger scored 51 off 71 balls.

Esther Mpofu, Kelis Ndlovhu and Chipo Moyo each claimed double wickets while Michelle Mavhunga, Beloved Biza, Adele Zimunu and Precious Marange each claimed single wicket restricting Tuskers to 124 runs inside 40 overs.

Needing 125 runs to win, Eagles had an awkward start to their chase as they lost their first wicket inside the first over Chasing a target of 125 runs to win.

15-year old all-rounder Biza once again showed with the bat as with an unbeaten 44 of 64 to ensure that Eagles chased down the target inside 26 overs to clinch their consecutive title in three years with a five wicket victory.

Biza was named player of the match for her heroics.