Tony Munyonga’s all-round contribution and a dynamic innings from Tinashe Kamunhukamwe helped Eagles avenge Friday’s defeat with a three-wicket victory over Tuskers in their return Pro50 Championship match at Takashinga Cricket Club on Sunday.
Put in to bat, Tuskers made a promising start before a middle-order slump checked their momentum. Nkosana Mpofu and Brian Chari put on 52 for the first wicket in 11 overs before Chari was trapped lbw by Munashe Zata for 20.
Brian Mudzinganyama also fell lbw, to Tapiwa Mufudza for 14, while Mpofu was run out for 36, which proved to be the highest score of the innings. Munyonga began his four-wicket haul with the score on 91, having Tafara Mupariwa caught behind for four and soon had Tuskers slipping to 148 for seven.
Luke Jongwe and Tawanda Maposa then helped lift the total past 200.
Jongwe finished unbeaten on 33, while Maposa struck a six and four fours in a brisk 30 off 19 deliveries. Tuskers were bowled out for 205 in 44.3 overs, with Munyonga taking four for 53 and Zata three for 26. Kamunhukamwe’s aggressive batting soon put Eagles firmly in control of the chase.
He and Marshal Takodza raced to 37 in five overs before Takodza was lbw to Jeffery Mhuriyengwe for 21 off 14 balls.
With Kudzai Maunze providing steady support, Kamunhukamwe took charge, striking three sixes and 10 fours in a commanding 75 off 56 deliveries. He was the second batter dismissed, with Eagles on 127 in the 18th over.
Maunze contributed 31, while Rodney Mupfudza and Munyonga added 48 for the fourth wicket, scoring 31 and 32 respectively.
Meanwhile, Nkosilathi Nungu’s four-wicket haul helped Rhinos withstand a magnificent 159 from Timycen Maruma to beat Mountaineers by 16 runs in their return Pro50 Championship match at Kwekwe Sports Club on Sunday.
Sent in to bat, Rhinos lost Tafadzwa Machachi for two to Tendai Chatara before a second-wicket partnership of 103 gave their innings a strong foundation.
Ahsan Ali Aqil led the way with 76 off as many deliveries, striking two sixes and nine fours before becoming the second batter dismissed.
Villan Changa provided steady support with 31, while Dylan Nzvenga contributed 21 before another substantial partnership lifted Rhinos towards an imposing total.
Tapiwa Mushore joined Nyasha Mayavo at 163 for four, and the pair added 95 in just 14 overs.
Mayavo was dismissed with the score on 258, having struck a superb 88 off 63 balls, including a six and nine fours.
Mushore made 38 off 50 deliveries before falling to Chatara, while Tendai Chisoro supplied a powerful finish with an unbeaten 21 off just nine balls to take Rhinos to 310 for eight.
Chatara was the pick of the Mountaineers attack, returning an impressive three for 35 from nine overs.
Brief Scorecards
Tuskers —205 all out in 44.3 overs (Nkosana Mpofu 36, Luke Jongwe 33*, Tawanda Maposa 30; Tony Munyonga 4/53, Munashe Zata 3/26, Tapiwa Mufudza 1/26)
Eagles —206-7 in 31.4 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 75, Tony Munyonga 32, Rodney Mupfudza 31; Tawanda Maposa 2/32, Luke Jongwe 2/41, Jeffery Mhuriyengwe 1/26)
Result: Eagles won by three wickets
****
Rhinos— 310-8 in 50 overs (Nyasha Mayavo 88, Ahsan Ali Aqil 76, Tapiwa Mushore 38; Tendai Chatara 3/35, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 1/23, Brandon Senzere 1/42)
Mountaineers — 294-8 in 50 overs (Timycen Maruma 159, Simbarashe Mudzengerere 69*, Takudzwa Nyamugure 31; Nkosilathi Nungu 4/61, Manson Chikowero 2/35, Sheldon Mugari 1/34)
Result: Rhinos won by 16 runs. —ZimCricket.
