Tuskers fall to Eagles

DEFENDING champions Eagles were at their best as they made short work of Tuskers with a convincing 246 runs win in their second game of the 2024/25 Pro50 Championship at Queens Sports Club yesterday.

The Harare-based side proved a class above the Bulawayo side as they were asked to bat first and went on to set a new record.

Eagles finished their innings on a mammoth 386/9 in their 50 overs before going on to bowl out Tuskers for just 140 runs in 30,1 overs.

Eagles’ 386/9 is now a new record in Zimbabwe domestic List A, surpassing the previous record of 363/9 set by Mountaineers against Rhinos at Mutare Sports Club in 2021.

The defending champions’ rout was led by Craig Ervine who top-scored with 88 runs off 80 deliveries while Wessly Madhevere and Tony Munyonga chipped in with 79 and 72 runs respectively.

Opening batter Tadiwanashe Marumani fell two runs short of his half-century on 48 runs from as many deliveries. Prince Kaunda and Luke Jongwe were the pick of the Tuskers bowlers both taking three wickets apiece.

Jongwe finished with figures of 3/40 in six overs while Kaunda registered figures of 3/62 in eight overs. Brandon James and Ainsley Ndlovu took one wicket apiece for Tuskers.

Dion Myers went on to produce one of his best spells for Eagles with the ball. The talented youngster took a five-wicket haul, which helped dismantle the Tuskers batting unit.

He finished with impressive figures of 5/36 in 5,1 overs while Faraz Akram took two wickets for 24 runs in five overs. The other wicket-takers for Eagles were Alex Russell and Tapiwa Mufudza.

Tuskers captain, Tafara Mupariwa, top scored with 33 runs off 42 balls. Following their defeat against Eagles, Tuskers have now managed to win one and lose one from their opening two games of the season. Eagles have made it two out of two. — @brandon_malvin