6 debuts the story as Eagles scale Mountaineers

A total of six debuts were handed out on opening day of Zimbabwe’s Domestic T20 competition between Eagles and Mountaineers.

It was a day in which only one of the two matches scheduled were able to played due to a ‘logistical delay’ according to organisers.

Eagles were the more daring were as they gave debuts to Brad Evans, Tanaka Chivanga, Tinashe Nenhunzi and Zimbabwe international Wessly Madhevere. The latter made his international start before his domestic one.

Mountaineers gave starts to Tinashe Chiorah and Brighton Chipungu.

Significant returns to both sides were in store as Zimbabwe and Eagles captain Chamu Chibhbha started along with his international compatriot and Mountaineers strike bowler Tendai Chatara. Both had been out injured.

Mountaineers won the toss and captain Wellington Masakadza chose to bat first.

Chiorah opened the batting with veteran Joylord Gumbie. Chivanga grabbed the wicket of the latter for 10 with the team’s score on 16. Gumbie was next with his 18 of 15 balls, Brad Evans grabbing the first of his three on the day.

The rest of the innings saw only Dion Myers (24) and Gary Chirimuuta (32) getting to double figures as Mountaineers were bowled out for 105 in 16.1 overs.

Evans took three for 28, Madhevere two for nine and and Tapiwa Mufudza two for 23.

With coach Lalchanda Rajput watching in the stands, his likely international openers against Pakistan, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Chibhabha opened the batting. Kamunhukamwe was impressive with some IPL quality shot-making but could only make 24 before Victor Nyauchi had him caught for 24.

Chibhabha played a conservative innings, making 17 off 23 balls before the precocious Chipungu took advantage of his weakness against spin to have him caught by Nyauchi.

On the other end, Madhevere followed up his taking two wickets in two balls earlier with a brilliant 45 off 41 balls to help steer his side home. Eagles made 106 for the loss of three wickets from 18.2 overs.

Chipungu took two for 13 and Nyauchi one for 16.

Scorecard here -> https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-domestic-twenty20-2021-1257981/mountaineers-vs-mashonaland-eagles-1st-match-1257982/full-scorecard

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