Mountaineers end Rocks unbeaten streak to stay in Pro50 final positions

Mountaineers produced an all-round bowling performance to stop Rocks from ending their Pro50 Championship season unbeaten, with an eight-wicket victory at Old Hararians Sports Club on Tuesday.

Pacers Tendai Chatara (3-43), Donald Tiripano (2-22) and Victor Munyonga (1-32), along with spinners Wellington Masakadza (2-43) and Tony Munyonga (2-18), were instrumental in bowling out the league leaders for 131 in 37 overs.

William Mashinge was 41 without loss for Rocks as the standout batter. Openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Mudzinganyama posted 16 each while Roy Kaia cooked up 14. Those were the only ones to get into double figures.

Mountaineers chased down the score, scoring 132 for the loss of two wickets in just 21.1 overs.

When Kevin Kasuza fell bowled to Mashinge for 43, the score was on 64. Ben Compton’s departure for 45 happened with the match long in tooth and Mountaineers only needing six to win. Kudzai Sauramba made 31 unbeaten but it was Timycen Maruma who hit the winning run with a single off the first ball of Mudzinganyama’s second over.

The win means Mountaineers remain second with back-to-back matches this week against their nearest rivals Alliance Health Eagles.

With Rocks having long secured their place in next week Tuesday’s final, the two sides have a good chance of making it as well. Tuskers in fourth are only in with a mathematical probability.

Match summary

Southern Rocks 131 all out (in 37 overs)
Mountaineers 132/2 (22.1/50 ov)

Mountaineers win by eight wickets