Eagles – 157 all out in 57 overs (Kundai Matigimu 35, Dion Myers 29, Tadiwanashe Marumani 23; Brad Evans 4/34, Ryan Burl 3/9, Antum Naqvi 2/22)
Rhinos – 363-8 in 77.3 overs (Antum Naqvi 123*, Ryan Burl 95, Prince Masvaure 50; Faraz Akram 3/29, Alex Russell 2/88, Tony Munyonga 1/22)
Antum Naqvi is back to his century-scoring ways, smashing an unbeaten 123 for Rhinos in their Logan Cup match against Eagles at Kwekwe Sports Club on Monday.
By the close of play, Rhinos had built a commanding lead, reaching 363 for eight in response to Eagles’ first-innings total of 157.
Rhinos resumed the day on 126 for two, with Prince Masvaure on 45 and Naqvi on 19.
Masvaure went on to reach his half-century before being dismissed for exactly 50 at 144 for three, having faced 99 balls.
Soon after, Naqvi retired hurt on 34, leaving Rhinos in a precarious position.
With the middle order struggling, a collapse seemed imminent — four batters fell for single-digit scores.
At 209 for seven, Brandon Mavuta’s dismissal saw Naqvi returning to the crease to partner with Ryan Burl, and the pair turned the game on its head.
In a blistering 17-over partnership, they piled on 120 runs, taking the Eagles bowlers apart.
Burl fell just short of a century, scoring 95 off 109 balls, including a six and 13 fours.
Naqvi, meanwhile, cruised past his hundred, ensuring Rhinos remained in firm control at stumps on 363 for eight.
Southern Rocks – 282 all out in 93.4 overs (Matthew Campbell 78, William Mashinge 59*, Tafadzwa Tsiga 54; Definate Mawadzi 4/31, Arineshto Vhezha 2/56, Wellington Masakadza 1/30)
Mountaineers – 54-1 in 17 overs (Clive Chitumba 30*, Mathew Welch 13*, Ashley Mufandauya 9; Ryan Higgins 1/18)
Day 2 – Stumps: Mountaineers trail by 228 runs
Definate Mawadzi played a crucial role for Mountaineers in their Logan Cup match at Takashinga Cricket Club on Monday, taking four valuable wickets to help restrict Southern Rocks to 282.
After rain disrupted most of the first day’s play, Rocks resumed their innings in the morning on 83 for three, with Matthew Campbell on 42 and Ryan Higgins on 26.
Higgins reached 42 before falling with the score at 101, but Campbell and Tafadzwa Tsiga built a solid partnership of 68.
Mawadzi then made a key breakthrough, dismissing Campbell for 78 and removing Richmond Mutumbami for a duck in quick succession.
At 205, Tsiga departed, lbw to Wellington Masakadza, having made 54.
William Mashinge remained unbeaten on 59, but found little support from the lower order, as Mawadzi claimed two more wickets to wrap up the innings at 282.
He finished with outstanding figures of four for 31.
Mountaineers responded positively before bad light ended play early, reaching 54 for one.
Ashley Mufandauya was the only batter dismissed, falling for nine.
At the close, Clive Chitumba was unbeaten on 30, with Mathew Welch on 13.
