Pro50 Championship: Maruma, Masakadza rearguard action wins it for Mountaineers

Tuskers 219 all out in 46.4 overs (Ndlovu 85, Mupariwa 32; Muchawaya 4-53, Chitumba 2-29 Tiripano 2-35)

Mountaineers 220/8 in 38.1 overs (Maruma 72*, Masakadza39*; Shane Getkate 2-22, Kaunda 2-33, Ndlovu 2-48)

Mountaineers won by two wickets

Veterans Timycen Maruma and Shingi Masakadza provided the perfect rearguard action as an unbeaten 72-run ninth wicket partnership helped Mountaineers to a win over Tuskers in a Pro50 Championship match at Mutare Sports Club on Saturday.

The defending champions looked as if they were staring down the barrel of a gun when they suddenly found themselves 148 for the loss of eight wickets, responding to a modest 220 set by Tuskers.

Shane Getkate (2-22), Prince Kaunda (2-33) and Ainsley Ndlovu (2-48) had done most of the damage to some very ordinary batting, which saw only Joylord Gumbie and Tinashe Muchawaya get to 20 runs.

Masakadza then upped the ante when he got in, blasting 39 off 36, including three fours and two sixes. On the other end Maruma contributed 29 off 34 to the partnership, scoring to 72 in total.

Mountaineers reached 220 for the loss of eight wickets after 38.1 overs to complete the double over Tuskers.

Earlier, Tuskers captain Ndlovu was the one player to properly resist the devastating Muchawaya, scoring 85, when they were bowled out for 219 in 46.4 overs. It was Ndlovu’s maiden half-century in List A cricket.

Taffy Mupariwa with 32 and Ernest Masuku’s 29 were the only other significant contributions.

Muchawaya grabbed four for 53, Clive Chitumba two or 29 and Donald Tiripano two for 35.

Steady Eagles sore as top order fires again

Southern Rocks 215/9 in 50 overs (Mutsamba 42*, Nungu 41; Mufudza 3-19, Chivanga 2-34, Akram 2-40)

Alliance Health Eagles 216/2 in 34.5 overs (Chibhabha 95, Maunze 82; Murombo 1-39,

Captain Chamu Chibhabha and Kudzai Maunze skillfully batted their way to Alliance Health Eagles glory, as they won by eight wickets against Southern Rocks at Masvingo Sports Club on Saturday.

With openers Nick Welch (24) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (5) missing out this time, it was down to the pair to comfortably hand their side a win.

At 45 for two, Eagles looked at sea chasing 216, but Chibhabha and Maunze put on an unbeaten run-a-ball 171 for the third wicket.

Chibhabha ended his innings on 95 and Maunze 82.

Earlier, Rocks had tailenders Trevor Mutsamba and Nkosilathi Nungu to thank for putting something to bowl at on the board. Mutsamba made an unbeaten 42,while Nungu scored 41.

Of the other lot, Cephas Zhuwao wiht 27, captain Richmond Mutumbami’s 26 and Brian Mudzinganyama’s 20, were the scores of note.

The loss means Rocks find themselves propping up the table and a lot of work to do if they should be involved in the final on n 5 November 2022.