A blistering bowling display by Alex Falao propelled the Eagles into a dominant position on Day One of their Logan Cup clash against the Tuskers, leaving the visitors scrambling for answers after being skittled for 166 at Harare Sports Club.
The Eagles seamer wrote his name into Eagles folklore, snaring his maiden five-wicket haul (5/40) in a ruthless 13.1-over spell that dismantled the Tuskers’ lineup.
Falao’s scalps included both the opening and closing acts of the innings, bookending a collapse that saw six batters fail to reach double digits. Only Luke Jongwe provided meaningful resistance with a gritty 72 off 93 balls, but even his fight ended abruptly when Falao’s delivery lured an edge to Munashe Chipara.
The Tuskers’ woes began early as Nkosana Mpofu fell for a duck, setting the tone for a procession of shaky partnerships. Ernst Masuku (19) and Will Fraine (18) hinted at stability, but the Eagles’ attack, led by Falao’s precision and supported by tight fielding, left no room for recovery.
By tea, the hosts had already seized momentum. Openers Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Dion Myers then unleashed a counterattack, racing to 114 runs in just 16 overs.
Kamunhukamwe’s explosive 51 off 35 balls, peppered with seven boundaries, electrified the crowd before Masuku finally breached his defence. Myers (48) followed shortly after, but not before the pair had all but erased the deficit.
With Wessly Madhevere (14*) and Kudzai Maunze (48*) poised to resume on Wednesday, the Eagles sit comfortably at 152/2, needing just 15 runs to claim the first-innings lead.
Maunze’s composed knock, blending textbook drives with sharp singles, underscored the batting depth that has put the Tuskers on the back foot.
Play resumes on Wednesday at 10 AM local time.
