By Tendai Chisiri
Rhinos – 169-5 in 20 overs (Ryan Burl 37, Antum Naqvi 33, Kevin Kasuza 29; Ainsley Ndlovu 3/15, Luke Jongwe 1/45)
Tuskers – 127 all out in 20 overs (Luke Jongwe 34, Clive Madande 33, Munashe Chimusoro 13; Hendrichs Macheke 3/26, Brad Evans 2/12, Ryan Burl 2/15)
Rhinos won by 42 runs
A dynamic fourth-wicket partnership of 62 runs in just 6.3 overs between Ryan Burl and Kevin Kasuza gave Rhinos the impetus they needed to secure a 42-run victory over Tuskers in their Domestic T20 match at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier in the innings, Ben Curran (25) and Antum Naqvi (33) both made valuable contributions at better than a run a ball.
After their dismissals, Burl and Kasuza took charge, ensuring Tuskers would be left with a formidable chase.
Even after Ainsley Ndlovu broke their stand in quick succession, dismissing both batters within two balls at 139 for five, Rhinos found an explosive finish through Tashinga Musekiwa.
He smashed an unbeaten 18 off just eight balls, propelling Rhinos to a competitive 169 for five.
Ndlovu was the standout bowler for Tuskers, delivering a superb spell of three wickets for just 15 runs, although he bowled only three overs.
Faced with a challenging target, Tuskers were virtually doomed when they lost their opening pair with only two runs on the board.
Despite a spirited fightback from Clive Madande (33 off 29 balls) and Luke Jongwe (34 off 27), no other batter managed to reach 15, and the innings folded for 127.
Brad Evans was the pick of the Rhinos bowlers, taking two wickets for just 12 runs, while Hendrichs Macheke produced a remarkable spell, claiming three wickets in his two overs, albeit conceding 26 runs.
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Southern Rocks – 150-6 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 55*, Cephas Zhuwao 30, Roy Kaia 20; Tinotenda Maposa 2/22, Richard Ngarava 2/29, Tapiwa Mufudza 1/29)
Eagles – 154-1 in 16 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 71, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 69*, Craig Ervine 8*; Newman Nyamhuri 1/33)
Eagles won by nine wickets
A dazzling opening partnership between Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Tadiwanashe Marumani swept Eagles to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Southern Rocks in their Domestic T20 clash at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday evening.
Put in to bat, Rocks got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets for just 23 runs within the first six overs.
Cephas Zhuwao provided some resistance with a brisk 30 off 24 balls, featuring two sixes and two fours, while Roy Kaia chipped in with 20.
Their efforts took the score to 71 for four in the 12th over.
Sikandar Raza then took control of the innings, expertly managing the strike as he blazed an unbeaten 55 off 35 balls, smashing two sixes and five fours.
His late charge helped Rocks post a respectable 150 for six.
For Eagles, Richard Ngarava and Tinotenda Maposa were the standout bowlers, each claiming two wickets.
However, the chase was a one-sided affair as Kamunhukamwe and Marumani made light work of the target.
The pair dominated the Rocks bowlers, taking Eagles to the brink of victory before Marumani fell with the score at 146, bowled by Newman Nyamhuri for an impressive 71 off 47 balls (one six, seven fours).
Craig Ervine then stepped in and finished the match in style, striking two boundaries to seal the win.
Kamunhukamwe remained unbeaten on 69 from 45 balls, having struck three sixes and nine fours.
With two rounds played in the competition, Eagles and Rhinos remain unbeaten, while the other provincial teams are still searching for their first win.
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