Southern Rocks – 256-8 in 50 overs (Innocent Kaia 71, Matthew Campbell 39, Panashe Taruvinga 29; Nkosana Mpofu 2/33, Ainsley Ndlovu 2/38, Tanatswa Bechani 2/42)
Tuskers – 168 all out in 38.2 overs (Munashe Chimusoro 51, Tanatswa Bechani 22, Brian Chari 21; Newman Nyamhuri 4/15, Roy Kaia 3/24, Dereck Sadoki 3/38)
Southern Rocks won by 88 runs
A composed innings of 71 by Innocent Kaia laid the foundation for Southern Rocks’ emphatic 88-run victory over Tuskers in their Pro50 Championship clash at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday.
The visitors were sitting comfortably at 131 for two in the 26th over, but a middle-order slump saw them slide to 170 for six just 10 overs later.
Kaia, who struck eight boundaries in his 77-ball knock, was the fourth man out with the score on 146.
However, the lower order rallied to push the total to a competitive 256 for eight, with Newman Nyamhuri providing a late flourish with a brisk 25 not out off 18 balls.
For Tuskers, Ainsley Ndlovu was the pick of the bowlers, taking two for 38 in his 10 tidy overs, while two other bowlers also claimed a pair of wickets each.
In reply, Tuskers never really got going after collapsing to 46 for four, with three of those wickets falling to pace bowler Dereck Sadoki, who was making an impressive provincial debut.
Munashe Chimusoro offered some resistance with a fighting 51, but with little support – the next best being 22 – Tuskers were eventually bowled out for 168.
Sadoki finished with three for 38 and Roy Kaia three for 24, while Nyamhuri capped off a fine all-round performance by cleaning up the tail with four for 15.
Rhinos – 262 all out in 44.4 overs (Tarisai Musakanda 107, Antum Naqvi 56, Trevor Gwandu 14*; Tanaka Chivanga 3/41, Kundai Matigimu 3/47, Wishnenzy Chapfombo 2/71)
Eagles – 263-8 in 49.1 overs (Marshall Takodza 72, Kudzai Maunze 72, Ryan Kamwemba 31*; Antum Naqvi 2/44, Hendricks Macheke 2/48, Davis Murwendo 1/27)
Eagles won by two wickets
Despite a sparkling return to form by Tarisai Musakanda, Rhinos fell agonisingly short as Eagles edged to a two-wicket victory with five balls to spare in a thrilling Pro50 Championship encounter at Kwekwe Sports Club on Friday.
Asked to bat first, Rhinos lost both openers to Tanaka Chivanga inside five overs, slumping to 18 for two before Musakanda joined Antum Naqvi at the crease.
The pair turned the innings around superbly, adding 182 for the third wicket in less than 27 overs – a stand that seemed to have put Rhinos in control.
Naqvi compiled a patient 56 off 85 balls, but it was Musakanda who stole the show with a scintillating 107 off 85, featuring 15 fours and two sixes – his first century in top-level cricket since February 2021.
When Musakanda fell at 200 in the 31st over, Rhinos appeared on course for a 300-plus total.
But after Naqvi’s departure soon after, the innings fell apart, with no other batter reaching 15 as Rhinos were bowled out for 262 in the 45th over.
Chivanga and Kundai Matigimu shared the honours with three wickets apiece.
In reply, Eagles lost Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for six, but a commanding 141-run partnership between Marshall Takodza and Kudzai Maunze, who both scored 72, put them firmly back in the hunt.
The chase wobbled as Rhinos clawed back to reduce Eagles to 204 for seven, but Ryan Kamwemba (31 not out) and Alex Falao (20) steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.
After Falao departed in the 48th over, Chivanga returned to partner Kamwemba, guiding Eagles home – the winning run coming from a wide in the final over.
