Tuskers, Rhinos edge rivals in thrilling Pro50 showdowns

Eagles – 193 all out in 43.1 overs (Craig Ervine 54, Tony Munyonga 31, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 26; Ernest Masuku 4/33, Brandon James 2/27, Luke Jongwe 2/41)

Tuskers – 194-9 in 48 overs (Brian Chari 57, Will Fraine 37, Luke Jongwe 32; Tapiwa Mufudza 3/29, Tanaka Chivanga 2/27, Faraz Akram 1/26)

Tuskers won by one wicket

After winning the toss, Tuskers opted to field first.

The Eagles innings was marked by inconsistency, featuring three partnerships of 40 or more but little contribution from the rest, resulting in a total of 193.

Following Tadiwanashe Marumani’s dismissal for 11, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (26 off 19 balls) and Rodney Mupfudza (14) put on 40 for the second wicket.

However, both fell with the score at 54, alongside Dion Myers.

Craig Ervine and Wessly Madhevere then carefully constructed a 46-run stand for the fourth wicket.

After Madhevere departed for 21, Tony Munyonga (31) joined Ervine in the largest partnership of the innings, adding 56 for the sixth wicket.

Ervine anchored the innings with a composed 54 off 94 balls, but with little support from the lower order, Eagles fell short of the 200-mark.

Ernest Masuku was the standout bowler for Tuskers, taking four for 33.

Tuskers’ chase was far from smooth, as they lost three wickets for 41, with Tanunurwa Makoni contributing 21.

Brian Chari and Will Fraine steadied the innings with a 66-run partnership before Fraine fell for 37 at 115 for four.

Luke Jongwe’s 32 off 42 balls took Tuskers to 177 for eight, leaving Brandon James (11 not out) to guide the lower order in pursuit of the remaining runs.

Ainsley Ndlovu managed just one before getting out, but Ernest Masuku held his nerve alongside James as they scrambled the final four runs to clinch a thrilling victory for Tuskers.

Tapiwa Mufudza was Eagles’ best bowler, claiming three for 29 in his 10 overs.

Mountaineers – 168-4 in 34 overs (Mathew Welch 42*, Brian Bennett 35, Alistair Frost 34*; Trevor Gwandu 2/37, Brad Evans 1/24, Antum Naqvi 1/35)

Rhinos – 144-9 in 19.1 overs (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 35, Antum Naqvi 26, Tashinga Musekiwa 22; Wellington Masakadza 3/26, Alistair Frost 2/20, Anesu Kamuriwo 1/24)

Rhinos won by one wicket (Duckworth-Lewis method)

There was an equally exciting finish at Mutare Sports Club where Rhinos secured a thrilling one-wicket victory with five balls to spare in a rain-affected Pro50 Championship encounter against Mountaineers on Sunday, successfully chasing a revised target of 144 in 20 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Mountaineers, sent in to bat, posted 168 for four in 34 overs before heavy rain interrupted play for an extended period.

Brian Bennett (35) and Nick Welch (26) provided a steady start, but at 101 for four, their innings was in danger of losing momentum.

However, Mathew Welch (42 off 60 balls) and Alistair Frost (34 off 45) stabilised the innings with an unbroken 67-run stand before the rain arrived.

The lengthy delay meant Mountaineers’ innings was cut short at 168 for four, leaving Rhinos with a revised target of 144 off 20 overs – a challenging equation that demanded an aggressive approach from the outset.

Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Ben Curran set a brisk pace, adding 32 runs in five overs before Curran fell for 14.

Prince Masvaure followed soon after for just two, bringing Antum Naqvi to the crease.

Naqvi launched a blistering counterattack, smashing 26 off just 11 balls, including three sixes and a four, before being dismissed at 73 for three in the 10th over.

Kaitano, having contributed a valuable 35 off 33 balls, fell in the next over, reducing Rhinos to 81 for four.

Nyasha Mayavo chipped in with a quickfire 20 off 11 balls, but Rhinos still needed 13 runs from the final three overs with three wickets in hand.

Tashinga Musekiwa played a crucial late hand, scoring 22 off 15 balls, but when he was dismissed at 137 for eight, the match hung in the balance.

With two runs required in the final over, Brad Evans was bowled by Anesu Kamuriwo, seemingly setting up a dramatic finish.

However, Kamuriwo overstepped, conceding a no-ball, and Trevor Gwandu capitalised by sneaking a single to seal the win for Rhinos.

Wellington Masakadza was the best of the Mountaineers bowlers, with three wickets for 26 runs off his four overs.

2024/25 PRO50 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS TABLE