Tuskers secure big win despite middling total

The pace trio of Tawanda Mupariwa, Brian Vitori and Chris Mpofu helped Tuskers defend a middling total of 207 against Mid West Rhinos and register their second win in the Pro50 Championship.

The quicks skittled Rhinos for 107, giving Tuskers a large margin of victory despite their struggles with the bat. Mupariwa inflicted damage at the top of the order, dismissing Bradley Wadlan, Malcolm Waller, and Bothwell Chapungu in successive overs to leave Rhinos tottering at 30 for 3. Vitori's two wickets further dented the chase before Chris Mpofu paved the way for the win with lower-order wickets.

Earlier, a 100-run opening stand between Bornaparte Mujuru and Nkosana Mpofu had put Tuskers on the road to a strong total after they had opted to bat. However, the side soon crumbled to 130 for 5, with left-arm spinner Kudakwashe Munyede picking key wickets. Mupariwa and Vitori scored handy runs to lead the side to 207 for 8.

Fifties from opener Kevin Kasuza (89) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (68) steered Mountaineers to 292 for 7, a total they defended easily against Mashonaland Eagles to complete a 46-run win.

Mountaineers were put in to bat and were 81 for 2 in the 23rd over when Kasuza and Matsikenyeri came together at the crease. The pair added 124 runs for the third wicket at a quick pace to build a strong platform for the side. After they were dismissed, Forster Mutizwa and Roy Kaia added another 63 and Mountaineers finished well despite a few late wickets.

The Eagles chase started briskly as opener Cephas Zhuwao slammed 31 off 16 balls to help the team race to 38 in the fourth over. However, Eagles went from 38 for 0 to 46 for 3 within three overs and despite a couple of half-century partnerships in the middle and lower-order, the chase struggled. They were eventually dismissed for 246 in the 46th over. Cuthbert Musoko took 3 for 46 while Tatenda Mupunga and Natsai M'Shangwe took two wickets each.