EAGLES shattered the Pro 50 Championship record by posting an impressive total of 386/9 against the Tuskers on Monday at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
This new record surpasses the previous highest total of 363/9, which was set by the Mountaineers in their match against the Rhinos in Mutare in 2021.
Tuskers’ captain, Tafara Mupariwa, made the controversial decision to field first, and his team struggled to contain the Eagles’ powerful batting lineup, which featured seasoned batsman Craig Ervine and rising star Wessly Madhevere.
Ervine scored 88 runs off 80 balls, while Madhevere contributed 79 runs from 76 deliveries. The innings culminated in an explosive finish by Tony Munyonga, who scored 72 runs off just 39 balls.
The Tuskers’ bowling attack found it difficult to handle the Eagles’ onslaught; Prince Takunda and Luke Jongwe each took three wickets, while Brandon James and Ainsley Ndlovu added one wicket each.
In response, the Tuskers’ run chase was brief, with Mupariwa’s score of 33 runs off 42 balls being the highest of the innings. Tanunurwa Makoni contributed 18 runs from 24 balls, and Sean Williams managed 17 runs off 17 deliveries, leading to a disappointing total of 140/9 for the Tuskers.
Eagles’ medium pacer Myers was outstanding, claiming five wickets for just 36 runs in 5.1 overs, while Faraz Akram added two wickets to the tally. Alex Russell and Tapiwa Mufudza each contributed with one wicket.
In another match at Kwekwe Sports Club, the Rhinos defeated the Mountaineers by five wickets, further emphasizing the competitive nature of this year’s Pro 50 Championship.
