Online Reporter
MARYLEBONE Cricket Club (MCC) concluded their historic return to Zimbabwe — their first visit to the country in 60 years — with a T20 series victory over the Zimbabwe Academy at Takashinga Cricket Club on Wednesday.
The English side’s tour marked a significant moment for Zimbabwean cricket, rekindling ties with one of the game’s oldest institutions.
MCC began their seven-match schedule last week with two T20s and a 50-over match against provincial side Rhinos at Kwekwe Sports Club, before facing Zimbabwe ‘A’ in a three-day contest at Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare.
They rounded off the trip with a three-match T20 series against the Zimbabwe Academy at Takashinga — the heartland of township cricket and a venue steeped in national cricketing heritage. The closely contested series produced moments of flair and resilience from both sides.
MCC won the rain-affected opener on Tuesday morning, the Zimbabwe Academy bounced back with a thrilling last-ball victory in the afternoon, before the visitors sealed the decider on Wednesday to complete a memorable tour.
Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe Academy — 88-6 in 10 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 27, Munashe Chimusoro 22*, Tashinga Makoni 17; Michael Frost 2/12, Ben Allison 2/15, Mo Rizvi 1/17)
Marylebone Cricket Club — 89-2 in 9 overs (Will Smale 28, Simon Fernandes 24*, Sam Athurton 23*; Jimmy Nyangoni 2/11)
Result: Marylebone Cricket Club won by eight wickets
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Marylebone Cricket Academy — 120-9 in 20 overs (Ben Allison 31*, Sam Athurton 31, Billy Mead 23; Arineshto Vhezha 3/17, Webster Madhidhi 2/30, Wishnenzy Chapfombo 1/20)
Zimbabwe Academy — 121-8 in 19.5 overs (Ronak Patel 46*, Ryan Kamwemba 26, Ashley Mufandauya 12; Mo Rizvi 2/12, Ben Allison 2/21, Darren Ironside 1/23)
Result: Zimbabwe Academy won by two wickets
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Marylebone Cricket Club — 171-6 in 20 overs (Alistair Frost 34*, Ben Allison 30, Sam Athurton 29; Ryan Simbi 2/20, Victor Chirwa 2/30, Tatenda Chimugoro 2/32)
Zimbabwe Academy — 148 all out in 19.5 overs (Ronak Patel 43, Panashe Taruvinga 37, Victor Chirwa 32; Blessing Mangove 2/3, Mo Rizvi 2/29, Darren Ironside 2/37)
Result: Marylebone Cricket Club won by 23 runs
