In a thrilling finale of the Zim Afro T10 at Harare Sports Club, the Jo'Burg Bangla Tigers emerged victorious against the Cape Town Samp Army, clinching the title in a nail-biting contest. The match showcased remarkable performances, particularly from young fast bowler Tinashe Muchawaya, who turned the game around in the final moments, leading his team to a five-run victory.
The Tigers, captained by Sikandar Raza, won the toss and opted to bat first. They got off to a blistering start, with openers Kusal Perera and Mohammad Shahzad aggressively attacking the Samp Army bowlers. The duo quickly formed a solid partnership, racing to a half-century stand in less than four overs, amassing 59 runs before Perera was dismissed for 33 by Qais Ahmed, who trapped him LBW. Shahzad, who had previously scored a match-winning half-century in the Qualifier 1, continued to build momentum alongside Hazratullah Zazai. By the end of the fifth over, the Tigers were cruising at 60/1.
However, the Tigers experienced a dip in their scoring rate as Qais bowled a tight second over, which allowed the Samp Army to regroup. The momentum shifted once more as Shahzad and Zazai attacked Salman Irshad in the seventh over, scoring 18 runs. Zazai eventually fell for 19 runs, bringing the experienced Sikandar Raza to the crease. As Raza got settled, three wides from Tawanda Maposa helped the Tigers cross the 100-run mark. Unfortunately, miscommunication between the batters led to Shahzad's run-out for 44 runs, raising concerns for the Tigers.
Raza, however, lifted the team's spirits with some powerful hitting, launching consecutive sixes and guiding the Tigers to a total of 129/5 in their allotted 10 overs. Tashinga Musekiwa contributed significantly in the final overs with a quick six, providing a boost to the team's total.
Chasing 130 runs, the Cape Town Samp Army began their innings with confidence. Brian Bennett and Dawid Malan, both in good form, quickly settled into their rhythm, scoring 12 runs off Adam Milne’s first over and 9 runs off Luke Wood’s second. The Samp Army reached 66/0 at the halfway point, with Bennett and Malan effectively controlling the tempo of the game.
However, the Tigers struck back as Milne dismissed Bennett for 36, followed by the removal of Rohan Mustafa without scoring. This double blow shifted the momentum back towards the Tigers, but Malan continued to anchor the innings, reaching his fifty with an elegant drive through the point region.
With the Samp Army needing 21 runs from the final over, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Muchawaya, who had faced some tough boundaries earlier in the over, showcased incredible composure. Despite being hit for two sixes off the first two deliveries, he rallied and tightened his bowling, conceding just five runs in the last four balls, ensuring the Tigers held on for a tense five-run victory.
The Jo'Burg Bangla Tigers finished their innings at 129/5, while the Cape Town Samp Army concluded their chase at 124/2 in 10 overs. Notable performances included Dawid Malan’s unbeaten 62 and Brian Bennett’s 36 for the Samp Army, while Adam Milne’s two wickets for 18 runs were instrumental for the Tigers.
This victory marked a significant achievement for the Jo'Burg Bangla Tigers and highlighted the potential of young talents like Tinashe Muchawaya, who proved himself under pressure. The thrilling contest was a fitting conclusion to the Zim Afro T10, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next season.
