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Nkosilathi Sibanda
Some good bowling by the Pakistani paceman Mamoon Ur Riaz, who took four wickets for 51 runs, helped Tuskers to a 287-run victory over Mega Market Mountaineers, but with only nine overs to spare, at Takashinga Cricket Club on Sunday.
This was Tuskers’ first Logan Cup victory of the season and the first defeat for Mountaineers, who nevertheless stay in second place on the points table.
Having gained a first-innings lead of 122 over Mountaineers, Tuskers had by the close of play on day three strolled to 194 for two in 77 overs.
On the morning of the fourth and final day it appeared that they had suddenly woken up to the fact that they had a chance of victory in this match, and in a further 16 overs they hammered another 146 runs before they declared on 340 for eight wickets.
The overnight batters, Samiullah and Brian Chari, were soon out for 77 and 65 respectively, but Milton Shumba hit 36 off 32 balls and Clive Madande 31 off 24.Luke Jongwe applied the finishing touches with 24 not out off only 10 balls, including two sixes and two fours. This set Mountaineers the impossible target in the time left of scoring 463 for victory, or more likely surviving 57 overs to secure a draw.
After 15.1 overs it seemed as if Mountaineers were about to give away the match, as five wickets tumbled for only 44 runs.
Wellington Masakadza and Tony Munyonga were quickly removed by Ernest Masuku for three and zero respectively, while Timycen Maruma went next for 19 off 21 balls.
Jongwe removed Maruma and Brian Bennett with successive deliveries, and Mountaineers also lost Joylord Gumbie, who had fought well for 22 off 48 balls.
Then came a fightback, as Spencer Magodo and Donald Tiripano knuckled down and showed some firm resistance.However, Magodo became carried away and, losing sight of the draw as the one important aim for the team, he began to attack vigorously.
He was successful for a while and reached his fifty, but after that was soon caught off Ur Riaz for 52 off 65 balls.The score was now 123 for six in the 35th over, and one run later Shingi Masakadza was out too.
Tiripano emerged with the most credit, as he defended stoutly, and when he was finally caught at the wicket off Ur Riaz for 25 off 65 balls, the writing was on the wall for Mountaineers.
The last pair of Salman Mirza and Tendai Chatara came together with 16 overs remaining.
Mirza got his head down and played solidly but he was the man to go in the end, adjudged lbw to Nkosana Mpofu for 20 off 45 balls, leaving Chatara not out with 22 off 17. Tuskers can count themselves rather fortunate to win, as the Mountaineers innings lasted only 48 overs and, with more responsible and determined batting, they should have secured a draw.
Online Reporter