Tuskers’ claim season finale victory at Pro50 Championship

TUSKERS’ 2024/25 Pro50 Championship ended on a high note as they secured a 39-run victory over Southern Rocks in their last game of the season at Queens Sports Club on Monday.

The win was Tuskers’ third in eight matches this season and it took them to eight points, finishing in position four. They lost three matches while the other two yielded no result.

Tuskers finished tied on points with Eagles, only separated by net-run rate while two points behind table toppers, Mega Market Mountaineers and one behind second-placed Rhinos.

Southern Rocks anchor the standings with five points.
In Monday’s encounter, Tuskers were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 212 runs in 49,2 overs before going on to restrict the visitors to 173 runs all out in 44,3 overs.

Tuskers made a promising start, reaching 100/2 inside 25 overs having only lost the wickets of Will Fraine for 33 runs and Nkosana Mpofu managing for two. However, Brian Chari (26 runs off 37 balls) and Brian Mudzinganyama (33 off 72 balls) fell in quick succession, halting the momentum.

The skipper, Tafara Mupariwa top scored with 35 runs off 43 deliveries and enjoyed a 56-run fifth wicket partnership with Hamid Ali. The latter would fall for 26 runs off 44 balls and their dismissals triggered a lower-order slump.

Luke Jongwe chipped in with 20, but Tuskers were eventually bowled out for 212 in the final over.
Tinaye Mazonde was the pick of the Southern Rocks bowlers with figures of 4/25 off 7,2 overs while Priviledge Chesa took 2/35 in seven overs. Shelton Mazvitorera, Roy Kaia and Johnathan Campbell took one scalp apiece.

In response to Tuskers’ 212, Rocks suffered an early setback despite a blistering 31 from Cephas Zhuwao, as Panashe Taruvinga (two) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (one) departed cheaply.

A dramatic middle-order collapse left them reeling at 82/7 in 21 overs, with Mudzinganyama wreaking havoc, claiming three quick wickets.

Kaia fought back, finding support from Chesa (28) as they added 65 for the eighth wicket.
However, Kaia’s resistance ended at 59 off 97 balls — the highest score of the match — before Brandon James (4/23) cleaned up the tail, bundling Rocks out for 173 in the 45th over.

Mudzinganyama finished with figures of 3/27, sealing a well-deserved victory for Tuskers. Luke Jongwe picked up two wickets while Ernest Masuku claimed one.

Meanwhile, Mountaineers secured their place in the Pro50 Championship final with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Eagles in a gripping last round-robin encounter at Mutare Sports Club.

The nail-biting win saw the hosts finish at the top of the points table, setting up a final showdown against second-placed Rhinos on March 16.

With both teams entering the contest on eight points, just one behind Rhinos, it was a high-stakes, winner-takes-all clash, and it certainly lived up to expectations.

Put in to bat, Eagles suffered an early setback as Victor Nyauchi struck twice to remove Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Rodney Mupfudza for ducks, leaving them struggling at 19 for two.

However, Tadiwanashe Marumani turned the tide with a counter-attacking 74 off 70 balls, ably supported by Kudzai Maunze, who picked up the mantle after Marumani’s dismissal and smashed a superb 106 off 104 deliveries.
Wessly Madhevere added 34, helping Eagles reach 181 for four in the 30th over, appearing well set for a formidable total.

But the lower order failed to capitalise, with only Faraz Akram (27) making a meaningful contribution as Eagles were bowled out for 280 in 47,4 overs.

Nyauchi was the pick of the Mountaineers bowlers, claiming three for 45.
Mountaineers’ chase got off to a shaky start as Akram struck twice, removing openers Joylord Gumbie (3) and Tinashe Chiorah (five) with just eight runs on the board.

However, Nick Welch countered with a brisk 57 off 48 balls, while his brother Matthew retired hurt on 20.
A crucial fourth-wicket stand of 130 between Ashley Mufandauya (71 off 78) and Alistair Frost (60 off 76) brought Mountaineers back into contention, though the required run rate remained a concern.

Eagles clawed their way back when Richard Ngarava dismissed Mufandauya at 227 in the 43rd over, followed by Tinotenda Maposa removing Frost in the next over.

The pressure intensified as Mountaineers collapsed to 238 for seven, losing Matthew Welch and Wellington Masakadza cheaply.

Spencer Magodo, with 18 not out off 11 balls, fought valiantly, bringing Mountaineers within 21 runs of victory with 19 balls remaining.

However, a brief interruption due to bad light added to the tension of the moment.
When play resumed, Tanaka Chivanga bowled out Magodo for 24 off the first ball of the final over, leaving Mountaineers needing eight runs with only Nyauchi and Tendai Chatara at the crease.

A series of nerve-wracking moments followed: A single to Chatara, a leg-bye, another single to Chatara, and a no-ball that Nyauchi capitalised on for three runs.

With two runs required off two balls, Nyauchi nudged a single before Chatara sealed the victory with another single, sparking jubilant celebrations.

Nyauchi remained unbeaten on 11, Chatara on three, while Maposa was Eagles’ most successful bowler with three for 47.
Mountaineers’ incredible comeback secured them a place in the Pro50 Championship final, where they will battle Rhinos for the title on March 16. —@brandon_malvin