Eagles, Rhinos cruise as Mountaineers’ campaign falls flat

Tuskers – 120-9 in 20 overs (Clive Madande 42, Aliakbar Hamid 25, Tawanda Maposa 17*; Tapiwa Mufudza 3/26, Faraz Akram 2/16, Richard Ngarava 2/21)

Eagles – 124-3 in 15.4 overs (Dion Myers 51*, Craig Ervine 50, Tony Munyonga 10*; Ainsley Ndlovu 2/12, Tanatswa Bechani 1/34)

Eagles won by seven wickets

Tuskers, sent in to bat, endured a nightmare start as their top order crumbled spectacularly.

They lost their first three wickets for just two runs – Richard Ngarava and Tapiwa Mufudza striking with the ball, with the other dismissal coming via a run-out.

Clive Madande attempted to rebuild the innings with a composed knock of 42 from 44 balls, finding valuable support from Aliakbar Hamid, who injected some urgency with a brisk 25 off 19 deliveries.

However, resistance elsewhere was minimal and Tuskers continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, the ninth falling with the score on 98.

Some late entertainment was provided by the last-wicket pair of Tawanda Maposa and Tanatswa Bechani, who batted with freedom to add an unbroken 22 runs.

Maposa struck 17, while Bechani contributed 12, lifting Tuskers to a more respectable total.

Eagles’ bowling effort was well spread, with Ngarava, Mufudza and Faraz Akram each claiming two wickets.

Chasing a modest target, Eagles were briefly rocked early on.

Tadiwanashe Marumani edged Ainsley Ndlovu to be caught for two from the third ball of the innings, and in the same bowler’s next over Tinashe Kamunhukamwe was bowled for four, leaving Eagles 13 for two.

Any hopes of a Tuskers fightback ended there.

Myers and Ervine combined in a dominant partnership, batting with assurance and authority to take control of the chase.

Ervine was in imperious touch, striking the ball cleanly as he raced to a 30-ball fifty, decorated with two sixes and six fours.

He was eventually dismissed lbw by Bechani with the score on 94, but the result was already beyond doubt.

Myers anchored the remainder of the innings calmly, finishing on 51 not out from 43 balls, as Eagles sealed victory with 26 balls to spare.

Tony Munyonga provided late support with an unbeaten 10.

Ndlovu was the lone bright spot with the ball for Tuskers, finishing with figures of two for 12 from his four overs.

Mountaineers – 125-8 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 39, Matthew Welch 27, Timycen Maruma 20; Brad Evans 3/12, Graeme Cremer 2/12, Antum Naqvi 2/13)

Rhinos – 128-3 in 15.5 overs (Brendan Taylor 59*, Antum Naqvi 33, Tarisai Musakanda 21; Alistair Frost 1/8, Shafi Ullah 1/20, Wellington Masakadza 1/34)

Rhinos won by seven wickets

Brendan Taylor rolled back the years with a fluent, match-winning 59 as Rhinos secured victory over Mountaineers in the afternoon fixture at Kwekwe Sports Club, reclaiming top spot on the log with one round of matches remaining.

Mountaineers chose to bat after winning the toss but made a shaky start, as their first three batters to depart all failed to reach double figures.

Brian Bennett offered some stability, scoring 39 of the first 58 runs while facing 32 balls, before becoming the fourth wicket to fall.

Timycen Maruma chipped in with 20, while Matthew Welch provided late impetus from number seven with a robust 27 off just 17 deliveries.

Brad Evans was particularly effective at the death, claiming three wickets in the latter stages as Mountaineers closed on 125 for eight.

His spell of four overs cost just 12 runs, while Graeme Cremer complemented him well with two for 12 from his allocation.

Trevor Gwandu, however, endured a difficult outing, conceding 40 runs from three overs – a spell that allowed Mountaineers to reach their eventual total.

In reply, Rhinos lost Ben Curran for one in the second over, but Taylor and Antum Naqvi quickly restored order.

The pair batted with confidence, taking the score to 66 inside nine overs before Naqvi was caught off Alistair Frost for a well-made 33 off 26 balls.

Taylor continued to dictate proceedings, reaching his half-century from 37 balls and displaying some of his best touch of the season.

He did, however, see Tarisai Musakanda depart for 21.

Tashinga Musekiwa added the finishing touches in entertaining fashion, launching Wellington Masakadza for six from his second delivery, before Taylor struck the winning boundary in the following over.

Taylor remained unbeaten on 59 from 45 balls, his innings featuring a six and six fours, as Rhinos cruised to victory with 24 balls to spare.

Mountaineers have now completed their Domestic T20 campaign and remain rooted to the bottom of the standings, managing just one win from their eight matches.

2025/26 DOMESTIC T20 COMPETITION POINTS TABLE