Joburg Bangla Tigers crowned Zim Afro T10 2024 champions, as Muchawaya holds his nerves in last over

ASHLEY DUBE & BLESSING TAKUDZWA

HARARE – The Joburg Bangla Tigers emerged victorious in the 2024 Zim Afro T10 final, defeating the Cape Town Samp Army with five runs at Harare Sports Club on Sunday. The final over by Tinashe Muchawaya saw the Tigers hold their nerve, denying the Samp Army a super over.

Joburg Bangla Tigers crowned champions of the 2024 Zim Afro T10 tournament

Image: Zimbabwe Cricket

Tigers set a competitive total

Winning the toss, the Samp Army opted to field first. The Tigers got off to a fast start, with Kusal Perera (33 off 11 balls) and Mohammad Shahzad (44 off 25 balls) putting on a 59-run opening partnership in just 3.4 overs.

However, wickets fell quickly in the latter stages as the Tigers searched for quick runs, ultimately finishing at 129-5 in their allotted 10 overs.

Nicholson Gordon (2/10) impressed in the final over for the Samp Army, while Amir Hotak (1/14) bowled a tight spell.

Samp Army's chase falls short

The Samp Army began their chase strongly, with Brian Bennett (36 off 21 balls) and Dawid Malan (62* off 39 balls) establishing a 83-run partnership.

However, the introduction of Adam Milne (2/18) in the seventh over changed the momentum of the game. Milne dismissed Bennett and Rohan Mustafa in quick succession, putting the Samp Army on the back foot.

Jack Taylor (23 off 11 balls) joined Malan to chase down the target, but they found themselves needing 21 runs off the final over.

Tinashe Muchawaya, who had conceded 27 runs in his first over, delivered a crucial final over.

Taylor began with two sixes and a single, but Muchawaya kept his cool. Malan was outdone by Muchawaya missing the fourth delivery and only managing a leg-bye off the fifth.

Facing the final ball, Taylor needed a six to force a super over, but could only manage a single. The Tigers held on to secure their first Zim Afro T10 title; with Muchawaya etching his name in the books of Harare Sports Club as far as exceptional performances are concerned.

Post-match comments

Zimbabwe's President graced the final of the 2024 Zim Afro T10, showering praises to the tournament and its organisers for putting Zimbabwe on the map.

"I am honoured to be here as the guest of honour. I applaud the organisers for bringing the 90 minute format of the game to the country," President Mnangagwa said.

"The T10 tournament has been played in Qatar, UAE and all over the world. This shows that Zimbabwe can host international sports event. I am happy that the Zim is open for business mantra has fostered a great relationship between government and private investors.

"We welcome investors that have come into the Zim Afro T10 league.

"Congratulations to Zimbabwe Cricket for hosting a second edition of the tournament. To the players I commend your show of sportsmanship and team throughout the tournament as you contributed to the success of this tournament.

"My government will continue to support local athletes resources to shine and shine on the international stage.

"I urge the Ministry of Sports, Art and Recreation and other stakeholders to cascade concrete measures to the grassroot so that no one is left behind. I hope those touring the country have visited had the time to visit our tourism destinations from the Majestic Victoria Falls to the the scenic Eastern Highlands."

Zimbabwe Cricket's Tavengwa Mukhuhlani said: "The Zim Afro T10 tournament has become a permanent feature of the cricket calendar. The next edition will be done at Queen's Sports Club [in Bulawayo] in an effort to spread the game throughout the nation."

In an interview after the match, Muchawaya expressed his jubilation, stating, "It was a great experience having my captain, Sikandar Raza back me to bowl in the final over. I am happy that we managed to win."

Tournament sponsor Shaji UI Mulk revealed that he is an earnest believer in the attainment of Vision 2030 basing on the established growth and success of the event.

"We are extremely pleased because the whole rationale and the strategy of launching a league in the long term is coming to fruition. The tournament looks forward to an exciting season in Bulawayo next year. We will continue to work hard so that the tournament grows from strength to strength in Africa as it has done in other nations."

The second edition of the tournament attracted up to US$6 million and was screened in approximately 100 global screens from the United States of America, Bangladesh and India.