Sinokubonga Nkala
Brandon Moyo, Brandonmalvin9@gmail.com
A SUPER Over was needed to separate Mega Market Mountaineers and Tuskers in a 2024/25 Pro50 Championship match played at Mutare Sports Club on Thursday.
Tuskers were chasing a target of 280 runs to win after they had bowled out Mountaineers for 279 runs in 49, 2 overs.
Tuskers also fell short, being bowled out for 279 runs with one to spare in their innings, leading to a thrilling Super Over.
The hosts – who batted second in the match – were the first to bat in the Super Over, with Sean Williams facing Victor Nyauchi, while Will Fraine was at the non-striker’s end. Williams managed to score 18 runs from six balls, including one four and two sixes.
Luke Jongwe was tasked with defending the 18 runs for Tuskers, while Nick Welch and Timycen Marumani were in the middle for Mountaineers. Welch, on strike, scored 20 runs from six balls, including one four and two sixes.
It was Tuskers’ second defeat in three Pro50 Championship matches this season.
Nkosana Mpofu had a brilliant outing with the ball for the Bulawayo-based side, finishing with impressive figures of 4/49 in his 10-over spell. Mgcini Dube, Prince Kaunda, and Jongwe each took two wickets, conceding 49, 48, and 40 runs respectively.
There were two half-centuries for Mountaineers from the Welch brothers. Matthew top-scored with 65 runs from 83 balls, while Nick made 52 runs from 59 deliveries. Tinashe Chiorah and Alistair Frost chipped in with 36 and 32 runs respectively.
Anchoring Tuskers’ chase was their skipper, Tafara Mupariwa, who scored a well-played 74 runs from 85 balls, while Fraine contributed 66 runs from as many balls. Tanunurwa Makoni made 38 runs from 38 balls, with his opening partner Mpofu scoring 23 runs from 29 deliveries.
Fortune Mhlanga and Michael Frost were the pick of the Mountaineers’ bowlers, each taking three wickets. Frost went for 42 runs in his 10 overs, while Mhlanga conceded 57 runs in 10 overs. Victor Nyauchi finished with figures of 2/49 from 8.5 overs, and Nkosilathi Nungu also picked up one wicket for 48 runs before the game went to the Super Over.
In the other match, log leaders Rhinos suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Southern Rocks in Harare. Batting first, Rhinos were bowled out for 214 runs in 46.5 overs, with Ben Curran scoring another half-century. Rocks then chased down the target in 47.2 overs, thanks to two half-centuries from Panashe Taruvinga (80 runs off 139 balls) and Johnathan Campbell (52 runs not out).
The next round of Pro50 Championship matches is scheduled for 4th January 2024, when Tuskers will face Southern Rocks and Eagles will play Mountaineers. Both matches are scheduled to take place in Harare. — @brandon_malvin
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