JOBURG Bangla Tigers won the Zim Afro T10 after defeating Cape Town Samp Army by five runs, thanks to the heroics of their local star, Tinashe Muchawaya who bowled the final over at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Defending 21 runs off the final over, Muchawaya’s impressive bowling skills and composure under pressure helped the Tigers to claim the title.
Tigers’ coach, Julian Wood, remained calm and confident despite his team’s rough start to the tournament, where they lost two matches in a row.
However, the Tigers bounced back, winning five matches in a row, including a crucial victory over early tournament favourites Harare Bolts in Qualifier 1 on Saturday afternoon.
“We have got loads of power and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could win,” Wood said.
“As a bowler, you’ve got to nail your skills straight away, and as a batter, you have got to go from ball one.”
The final match against the Samp Army was filled with boundaries and sixes, with the Tigers setting a target of 130 runs.
Muchawaya’s impressive bowling in the final over was the standout performance of the match.
The tournament was attended by several dignitaries, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe Cricket board and executives and the owner of the tournament, Shaji Ul Mulk.
Mulk also granted Zimbabwe Cricket board Chairperson Tavengwa Mukuhlani’s request to host next year’s Zim Afro T10 tournament in Bulawayo.
The Bangla Tigers’ impressive performance and Muchawaya’s heroics were the highlights of the Zim Afro T10 tournament, which once again proved to be an exciting and competitive cricket event in Zimbabwe. But above all it is the unbeaten hundred by Scottish George Munsey for Harare Bolts, a first in the League’s history that will talked over for years to come.
