Pro50 Championship Latest Round-Up: Eagles Register First Win of the Season, As Tuskers Suffer First Defeat

ASHLEY DUBE

The Alliance Health Eagles recorded their first win in this season of the Pro50 Championship — the premier List A tournament in Zimbabwe's domestic cricket league — after overpowering Southern Rocks by 74 runs at Masvingo Sports Club.

The foundation of this victory was set by a 180 run opening stand between Tadiwanashe Marumani and Nick Welch. Marumani fell 2 short of his second List A hundred as he was caught out at cover off the bowling of veteran Cephas Zhuwao.

Marumani was striking at a phenomenal rate of 102, with his innings comprising of ten fours and three maximums. Nick Welch making his first appearance in this season also fell to the bowling of Cephas Zhuwao on 90 off 100 balls.

The Eagles seemed to have wasted the solid foundation laid by the pair as only Kudzai Maunze (35), Aliabakar Hamid (26) and a rapid 25 from tailender Faraz Akram managed to put on noteworthy scores.

The Alliance Health Eagles were bowled out for 315 a formidable total nonetheless. In response Talent Dzikiti nipped the Rocks’ chase in the bud with the upcoming left arm pacer removing the top 3.

Cephas Zhuwao was caught out at mid-wicket for two before Ben Curran went the next ball and caught at short third man for a golden duck. The Rocks’ middle order offered a firm resistance, with William Mashinge rich vein of form continuing with his second half century this season.

Tafadzwa Tsiga also made a steady 57 and they were starts for Blessed Muzite (37) and Richmond Mutumbami (39) before they were bundled out for 241. Talent Dzikiti (5-67) was named man of the match following his maiden five wicket haul.

At Mutare Sports Club, Tuskers suffered their first loss of the season following a 26 run loss to the Mountaineers in a relative low scoring encounter.

With the hosts batting first only Peter Moor had a respectable score of 67 off 80 balls amongst the batters before some low order hitting by Tinashe Muchawaya ensured the score was over 200.

Muchawaya 35 came from only 19 balls with a strike rate of 184 including four sixes. Given Tuskers form this season it seemed a gettable score but Tinashe Muchawaya haunted the them with ball in hand as well finishing with figures of 4-54 as the Tuskers were bowled out for 179.

Muchawaya was named the man of the match.