Southern Rocks – 122 all out in 18.5 overs (Tafadzwa Tsiga 36, Cephas Zhuwao 24, Innocent Kaia 17; Mike Chinouya 5/24, Brad Evans 3/15, Antum Naqvi 1/18)
Rhinos – 123-3 in 16.2 overs (Antum Naqvi 29*, Nyasha Mayavo 28, Ben Curran 27; Roy Kaia 1/20, Dylan Hondo 1/26)
Rhinos won by seven wickets
Rhinos secured their place in the Domestic T20 Competition final with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Southern Rocks at Takashinga Cricket Club on Friday, thanks to a brilliant spell of pace bowling from Mike Chinouya that turned the course of the match.
After being put in to bat, Rocks got off to a flying start, racing to 41 in the first five overs before Cephas Zhuwao, who had made 24 off 21 balls, was dismissed.
His partner, Tafadzwa Tsiga, then took charge alongside Innocent Kaia, guiding Rocks to a promising 82 for one in the 12th over.
Tsiga scored a well-constructed 36, while Kaia contributed 17.
However, Chinouya changed the game in a devastating spell, removing both set batters and two more in the space of just nine balls, leaving Rocks struggling at 93 for six.
Johnathan Campbell managed 12, but none of the lower-order batters reached double figures as Rocks crumbled to 122 all out.
Chinouya was the chief destroyer, claiming five wickets for 24 runs in his four-over spell.
He was well supported by Brad Evans, who took three for 15.
Chasing a modest target, Rhinos made light work of the run chase, reaching the required total in the 17th over with seven wickets in hand.
Openers Ben Curran (27) and the aggressive Nyasha Mayavo (28 off 17 balls) put on 41 for the first wicket before Takudzwanashe Kaitano was run out for 16.
From 80 for two, Antum Naqvi, with 29 not out, and Ryan Burl, with 17 not out, guided Rhinos home, securing their fourth consecutive victory.
Having completed their group fixtures with maximum points, Rhinos have secured a place in Sunday’s final.
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Mountaineers – 201-4 in 20 overs (Nick Welch 81, Brian Bennett 59, Timycen Maruma 31*; Brandon James 2/26, Ainsley Ndlovu 1/29, Ernest Masuku 1/51)
Tuskers – 145-9 in 20 overs (Brian Chari 53, Luke Jongwe 34, Clive Madande 19; Tendai Chatara 4/21, Fortune Mhlanga 2/36, Ashley Mufandauya 1/9)
Mountaineers won by 56 runs
A brilliant 81 off just 42 balls by Nick Welch paved the way for Mountaineers’ 56-run victory over Tuskers in their Domestic T20 Competition match at Takashinga Cricket Club on Friday.
Brian Bennett also impressed with a superb 59 off 46 balls, sharing a dominant second-wicket partnership of 119 in 11.3 overs with Welch.
Mountaineers lost Joylord Gumbie early for seven, but Bennett and Welch quickly took control, punishing the Tuskers bowling attack.
Welch, taking most of the strike, smashed six sixes and five fours, while Bennett struck nine boundaries.
Timycen Maruma provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 31 off just 15 balls, lifting Mountaineers to an imposing total of 201 for four in their 20 overs.
Brandon James was the most successful bowler for Tuskers, picking up two wickets for 26 runs.
Chasing a daunting target, Tuskers faced an uphill battle.
Brian Chari fought valiantly, scoring 53 off 37 balls, while Luke Jongwe contributed a quickfire 34 off 19.
However, their efforts were in vain as Tuskers were restricted to 145 for nine, with Tendai Chatara leading the Mountaineers bowling attack, taking four wickets for just 21 runs.
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