ASHLEY DUBE
KWEKWE – Rhinos have earned their place in the 2023 Pro50 Championship final with fifties from Ben Curran and Prince Masvaure, providing the impetus for their convincing 59-run (Duckworth-Lewis method) victory over Southern Rocks in a rain-affected match at Kwekwe Sports Club on Sunday.
This match held high significance for both teams, locked at eight points each at the start of play, as the victorious team would secure qualification for the tournament final against Eagles.
Rhinos, urged to bat first, witnessed their top order deliver a strong, consistent performance.
Opening batsman Takudzwanashe Kaitano displayed glimpses of brilliance, contributing 16 runs off 12 balls before being caught off Jalat Khan in the fourth over. His partner, Bright Matsiwe, also showcased fluent batting, scoring 47 off 58 deliveries before departing at 90 for two.
Curran provided steady innings support at the other end, amassing 66 runs and maintaining a consistent scoring rate. His partnership with Masvaure for the third wicket yielded 92 runs in 16 overs.
Masvaure's fluent batting facilitated his fifty, with 51 runs coming off only 50 deliveries. Nyasha Mayavo made a brisk 22 off 17 balls, but rain interrupted play, halting the Rhinos' innings at 234 for six wickets in 39.3 overs.
Following a prolonged rain delay, the Duckworth-Lewis calculation established a 212-run target for the Rocks in 28 overs. Despite Roy Kaia's 28 off 22 balls and the team's concerted efforts, the Rocks failed to find a player to deliver the consequential innings needed.
As the light faded, so did their prospects. Jonathan Campbell displayed resilience with 25 off 19 balls, yet the team's situation grew increasingly bleaker. The innings concluded in the 23rd over at 153 all out.
The pick of the bowlers was Muhammad Adil, bagging three wickets for 20 runs, contributing significantly to Rhinos' resounding victory.
Tony Munyonga show powers Mountaineers to victory over Tuskers
BULAWAYO – Tony Munyonga's exceptionally outstanding innings of 153 not out propelled Mountaineers to a commanding four-wicket victory over Tuskers in their Pro50 Championship match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Tuskers might have been content with the opening pair's partnership of 169 runs, but the slow scoring rate, with the innings consuming nearly 40 overs, proved challenging.
Awad Naqvi's 65 runs came off 110 balls, while Nkosana Mpofu, who went on to reach a century, scored 110 off 139 deliveries. The pressure of Naqvi's innings necessitated the remaining batters to push recklessly, aiming to set a competitive total within the 50-over timeframe.
Milton Shumba contributed with a commendable 46 not out off 30 balls, bolstering the team's final score to 259 for five wickets.
Mountaineers' pursuit began with a brisk opening stand of 50, courtesy of Joylord Gumbie (18) and Spencer Magodo (34) within nine overs, paving the way for Munyonga's entry to the crease.
Although no other batter reached 20, their contributions were overshadowed by Munyonga's outstanding performance. Munyonga's aggressive approach saw him reach his 50 off just 30 balls and his century off 66, setting the stage for Mountaineers' victory charge.
Despite a slight stumble with six wickets down for 213, Munyonga's exceptional display, combined with Prosper Mugeri's three not out, led Mountaineers to the brink of victory. Munyonga finished the match in style, dispatching three sixes and a four in just five balls off Shumba.
His unbeaten 153 came off 104 deliveries, adorned with 11 sixes and eight fours, affording Mountaineers a resounding win propelled by his brilliant and commanding innings.
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