Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
TUSKERS finally got their Pro50 Championship campaign moving after grinding out a 29-run victory over Eagles at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.
It was their first win of the season and a badly needed one for a side that had endured a difficult start to the competition. The Bulawayo outfit recovered from early trouble with the bat before their bowlers finished the job, dismissing Eagles for 187 in 46.3 overs after setting a target of 217.
Tuskers had chosen to bat first but quickly found themselves in familiar trouble.
Opener Bright Phiri fell for five in the fourth over and Brian Mudzinganyama followed soon after for four as the hosts slipped to 12 for two.
Brian Chari and Ali Hamid then steadied the innings with a patient 53-run partnership for the third wicket that briefly settled nerves in the Tuskers camp.
Hamid later returned to the crease after retiring hurt and managed 23 from 33 balls, while Chari’s resistance ended on 40 when he was caught behind off Wessly Madhevere.
The middle order then collapsed.
Clive Madande and Munashe Chimusoro fell in quick succession and Luke Jongwe departed for eight, leaving Tuskers struggling at 118 for seven in the 32nd over. At that point, the innings appeared to be heading for a modest total.
Instead, Tawanda Maposa and stand-in captain Ernest Masuku produced the partnership that changed the match.
The pair added 72 runs for the eighth wicket to push Tuskers back into the contest and give the innings much needed momentum.
Maposa led the recovery with a confident 62 from 58 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes before he was caught behind. Masuku supported him with a steady 30 from 42 deliveries as Tuskers were eventually bowled out for 216 in 46,2 overs.
Madhevere was the standout bowler for Eagles with five for 36 in 10 overs, his maiden five-wicket haul in List A cricket. Kundai Matigimu claimed three wickets while Ali Hasnain and Marshal Takodza picked up one each.
Eagles never fully recovered after losing early wickets in the chase.
Masuku struck first when he bowled Takodza for four before Mgcini Dube delivered a damaging over that removed Rodney Mupfudza for two and Kudzai Maunze for a duck, reducing the visitors to 23 for three.
Tanatswa Bechani then tightened the screws when he bowled Eagles captain Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for 21.
Madhevere briefly threatened to rebuild the innings with a fighting 41, but Luke Jongwe removed him before the visitors could establish a meaningful partnership.
Bechani dismissed Ryan Kamwemba while Mudzinganyama added further pressure by removing Craig Ervine for 27 as Eagles slipped to 129 for seven.
Mudzinganyama struck again to remove Kundai Matigimu before trapping Faraz Akram in front for 33 as the chase continued to unravel.
Dube wrapped up the innings when he dismissed Kudakwashe Macheka for 13.
He finished with three for 32 in 8.3 overs while Mudzinganyama returned three for 37 from his 10 overs. Bechani supported well with two for 33.
Meanwhile, at Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, Southern Rocks’ six-match unbeaten run in the Pro50 Championship ended after a heavy 77-run defeat to Mega Market Mountaineers.
Michael Frost starred for the Mountaineers with an outstanding spell that produced six wickets for just 12 runs.
