Table-toppers Mashonaland Eagles slumped to only their second defeat of the Coca-Cola Pro50 competition this season after slumping to a five-wicket loss to Matabeleland Tuskers at Queens Sports Club on Saturday.
Seamer Tawanda Mupariwa did the early damage after Eagles were sent in to bat, reducing them to 25 for three inside the first 10 overs.
Englishman Michael Thornely (34), Trevor Garwe (40) and Pakistan born Sikandar Raza (33) got starts, but could not carry on. The lower order crumbled to the off-spin of all-rounder Gavin Ewing as Eagles were dismissed for 144 in 46.2 overs.
Early quick wickets by seamer Innocent Chinyoka had Tuskers reeling at 21 for three at one stage, but experienced all-rounder Keith Dabengwa (37) helped them recover.
Former Zimbabwe Under-19 all-rounder Brian Chari’s unbeaten knock of 47 runs and Charles Coventry’s 30 not out added an unbroken 58 for the sixth wicket to ensure Tuskers eased to victory in the 38th over.
Meanwhile, at Mutare Sports Club Gary Ballance’s century was enough for MidWest Rhinos to win by 53 runs after the hosts Mountaineers collapsed in their chase from a strong position.
Mountaineers were 149 for two after 27 overs in pursuit of 314 but were eventually bowled out for 260.
