Online Reporter
MARSHAL Takodza and Kudzai Maunze struck unbeaten half-centuries as Eagles cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Tuskers in their Pro50 Championship match at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Tuskers never recovered from a disastrous start that saw openers Bright Phiri and Tanunurwa Makoni depart without scoring inside the first eight balls of the innings.
Captain Tafara Mupariwa (22) and Brian Chari (24) steadied proceedings briefly with a stand of 64, but it was wicketkeeper-batter Munashe Chimusoro who produced an innings of substance.
He battled hard for 52 off 69 balls before falling as the last man out.
His most valuable support came from Ali Khan, who dug in for 12 during an eighth-wicket partnership worth 26.
Tuskers’ innings eventually folded for 158 in the 41st over, with Tanaka Chivanga and Ali Hasnain sharing the bowling honours with three wickets apiece.
Eagles made light work of the run chase. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe set the tone in explosive fashion, smashing 43 off 29 balls in an opening stand of 58 with Takodza.
That platform allowed Maunze to join Takodza and finish the job with minimal fuss, the pair racing to the target in just 23.1 overs.
Both Takodza and Maunze closed on 53 not out to seal a commanding win.
Meanwhile, Ashley Mufandauya struck the only half-century of the match as Southern Rocks extended their winning run with a convincing six-wicket victory over Mountaineers in their Pro50 Championship clash at Mutare Sports Club on Saturday, finishing with more than 15 overs to spare.
Put in to bat, Mountaineers’ usually reliable top order faltered, with no batter managing to pass 30.
Matthew Welch and Alistair Frost both made 29, while Ronak Patel (20) and Timycen Maruma (23) also failed to convert promising starts.
Welch and Maruma shared the innings’ best partnership — 55 for the fourth wicket —but the momentum faded quickly thereafter.
Mountaineers were bowled out for 181 in 44.1 overs, with Jalat Khan leading the Rocks attack superbly to return figures of three for 27.
Rocks’ reply wobbled early as Cephas Zhuwao fell for two and Innocent Kaia for 16, but Mufandauya soon imposed himself on the contest.
Batting with fluency and authority, he crafted 62 off 81 balls, striking two sixes and five fours.
Panashe Taruvinga added impetus with a brisk 25 before Johnathan Campbell calmly guided Rocks home, finishing unbeaten on 47 from 54 deliveries.
Mountaineers’ bowlers toiled without much penetration as Rocks wrapped up another convincing win.
Brief Scores
Tuskers— 158 all out in 40.2 overs (Munashe Chimusoro 52, Brian Chari 24, Tafara Mupariwa 22; Ali Hasnain 3/26, Tanaka Chivanga 3/28, Wessly Madhevere 1/19)
Eagles— 161-1 in 23.1 overs (Kudzai Maunze 53*, Marshal Takodza 53*, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 43; Ali Khan 1/15)
Eagles won by nine wickets
Mountaineers — 181 all out in 44.1 overs (Matthew Welch 29, Alistair Frost 29, Timycen Maruma 23; Jalat Khan 3/27, Owen Muzondo 2/21, Arinesto Vezha 2/40)
Southern Rocks —184-4 in 34.2 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 62, Johnathan Campbell 47*, Panashe Taruvinga 25; Ronak Patel 1/4, Muhammad Sheraz 1/33, Victor Nyauchi 1/37)
Southern Rocks won by six wickets. —ZimCricket
