Eagles – 280 all out in 47.2 overs (Kudzai Maunze 106, Tadiwanashe Marumani 74, Wessly Madhevere 34; Victor Nyauchi 3/45, Ashley Mufandauya 2/48, Alistair Frost 1/25)
Mountaineers – 281-8 in 50 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 71, Alistair Frost 60, Nick Welch 57; Tinotenda Maposa 3/47, Faraz Akram 2/38, Richard Ngarava 2/44)
Mountaineers won by two wickets
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 16 March.
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 (5) 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 for bad light added further tension.
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 16 March.
Tuskers – 212 all out in 49.2 overs (Tafara Mupariwa 35, Will Fraine 33, Brian Mudzinganyama 33; Tinaye Mazonde 4/25, Priviledge Chesa 2/35, Roy Kaia 1/20)
Southern Rocks – 173 all out in 44.3 overs (Roy Kaia 59, Cephas Zhuwao 31, Priviledge Chesa 28; Brandon James 4/23, Brian Mudzinganyama 3/27, Luke Jongwe 2/45)
Tuskers won by 39 runs
Despite a valiant 59 from Roy Kaia, Southern Rocks fell to Tuskers by 39 runs in their final Pro50 Championship match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday.
Put in to bat, Tuskers made a promising start, reaching 100 for two, with Will Fraine contributing 33 and Nkosana Mpofu managing just two.
However, Brian Chari (26) and Brian Mudzinganyama (33 off 72 balls) fell in quick succession, halting the momentum.
Tafara Mupariwa (35) and Hamid Ali (26) shared a crucial 56-run stand, but 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 finished with four wickets for 25 runs off the 7.2 overs he bowled.
In response, Rocks suffered an early setback despite a blistering 31 from Cephas Zhuwao, as Panashe Taruvinga (2) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (1) departed cheaply.
A dramatic middle-order collapse left them reeling at 82 for seven, with Mudzinganyama wreaking havoc, claiming three quick wickets.
Kaia fought back, finding support in Priviledge 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 impressive figures of three for 27, sealing a well-deserved victory for Tuskers.
2024/25 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE
| TEAM | M | W | L | T | NR | PTS | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineers | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.137 |
| Rhinos | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0.368 |
| Eagles | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.171 |
| Tuskers | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | -0.520 |
| Southern Rocks | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -0.230 |
