Pro50 Championship Round 2 Review: Rhinos make it two wins in a row

ASHLEY DUBE

Midwest Rhinos made it two wins in a row, with a dominant eight wicket win over Mega Market Mountaineers. The chase was spearheaded with an outstanding century from in-form all-rounder Antum Naqvi who finished unbeaten on 128 from 93 balls.

pro50 championship 2023 Zimbabwe cricket

Image: Zimbabwe Cricket

He combined brilliantly with Tarisai Musakanda who is looking in fine touch this season who finished on 81 not out following his unbeaten 83 from the first match. Both their innings were boundary-laden with Naqvi clubbing twelve 4s and five 6s whereas Musakanda had seven 4s and 2 6s to his name. The pair combined to a 202 run partnership for the third wicket.

Opener Takudzwanaishe Kaitano had set a solid foundation for the run-chase with a solid 50 from 40 balls, striking at 125. Naqvi also had shone with the ball with figures of 3-56, alongside Brandon Mavuta who finished with figures of 3-44 as Mountaineers were bowled out for 295.

Young batter Spencer Magodo top scored with 75, an innings which was marked with some good running between the wickets and some big shots towards the end. Support came from Dane Shaderndorf 47 and a couple of scores of 38 from openers Joylord Gumbie and Kevin Kasuza. Mountaineers may feel they were 20-30 runs short as the Rhinos managed to chase the score under forty overs.

A trio of half centuries from Matt Welch, Lavert Masunda and Chamu Chibhabha were pivotal as the Mashonaland Eagles registered their second win of the season beating the Southern Rocks by three wickets. Chasing 271 for victory, the Eagles would not have asked for a better start as the opening batting partnership put on 113.

Wicketkeeper batsman Lavert Masunda (57) and debutant Matt Welch (52) – younger brother to Nick Welch all crossed the half century mark. A middle order collapse ensued but Chamu Chibhabha held the innings together with an unbeaten 64 from 66 balls as the Eagles closed the game.

Much like the first match, Southern Rocks batsmen did not come to the party as they failed to put runs on the board. Tendai Chisoro provided the rescue act with a counter-attacking 71 to ensure the Rocks set a competitive score on the board. Off-spinner, Tapiwa Mufudza was brilliant with the ball finishing with figures of 3-46 from his 10 over quota. Mufudza was named player of the match.

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