ASHLEY DUBE
BULAWAYO – In the latest round of the Pro 50 Championship matches, both Mega Market Mountaineers and Southern Rocks secured victories, with the chasing teams taking the spotlight. Mountaineers emerged triumphant by 5 wickets, while Southern Rocks claimed a hard-fought 2-wickets win.
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It was a day of low scores, with significant fifties from Brian Bennet and skipper Tony Munyonga proving crucial as Mountaineers chased down 196 runs, set by Tuskers.
Struggling to establish a high run rate, Tuskers managed to score 195, setting Mountaineers a target of 196 to secure victory. Aliakbar Hamid led the scoring with 48 runs from 91 deliveries.
Tony Munyonga was the leading wicket-taker, clinching figures of 3-29 from his six overs, while Hendricks Macheke (2-30), Donald Tiripano (1-22), and Mohammad Mirza (1-23) contributed wickets to the encounter.
Mountaineers' chase encountered an early setback as opening batsman Definate Mawadzi was dismissed for a golden duck.
However, Joylord Gumbie and Tony Munyonga stabilized the innings with a 93-run partnership. Munyonga, after reaching his half-century, departed soon after, caught by Mgcini Dube off the bowling of Tanatswa Bechani, scoring 59 runs off 41 balls.
Brian Bennet's composed batting, alongside Dane Shaderndorf, resulted in another crucial 59-run partnership. Bennet remained unbeaten on 58 as Mountaineers triumphed with a much-needed win.
In a tight contest, the Rocks edged out the Rhinos by two wickets, thanks to a 50 from Jonathan Campbell. This pivotal innings, supported by a 49 from Englishman Dom Bess in his first appearance this season for the Rocks, held the chase together through numerous testing moments.
The Rocks' successful chase followed an impressive bowling display, as they skittled the Rhinos out for 211.
Brandon Mavuta top-scored for the Kwekwe-based franchise with 53. Tendai Chisoro secured the best figures of 3-19, while Dom Bess, Roy Kaia, and Jalat Khan each picked up two wickets, with Campbell also contributing with a wicket.
Additionally, the Lahore Qalandars have introduced five fast bowlers for this season's franchise league, part of an agreement between Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and Lahore Qalandars, which also saw seven Zimbabwean youngsters heading to Pakistan.
Five bowlers, namely Mohammad Adil, Mamoon Riaz, Ameer Hamza, Jalat Khan, and Salman Mirza, made their debut in today's matches, with impressive performances by Muhammad Adil for the Rhinos, clinching figures of 3-37, and Mamoon Riaz for Tuskers.
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