Raza stars as Eagles down Tuskers

By The Standard and Newsday | Jan. 15, 2015

SIKANDAR Raza added an explosive 111-ball 103 to his four wickets as Mash Eagles handed Matabeleland Tuskers their first defeat of the season in a Pro-50 Championship at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

SIKANDAR Raza added an explosive 111-ball 103 to his four wickets as Mash Eagles handed Matabeleland Tuskers their first defeat of the season in a Pro-50 Championship at Harare Sports Club yesterday. SPORTS REPORTER

The 28-year-old aggressive batsman combined with Chamu Chibhabha (74) as Eagles finished on 216 for two in 41, 4 overs to comfortably chase down Tuskers 213 with 9,2 overs to spare.

Tuskers, yet to taste defeat in all competitions this season, would have been confident of completing a double over their opponents after they had earlier won the toss and chosen to bat.

National team middle order batsman Craig Ervine was the top scorer for Tuskers as he returned to form in spectacular fashion with a superb 103 which included seven fours and a six.

Ervine, however, lacked the support from his teammates, with Nkosana Mpofu’s 24 the second-highest contribution in the innings as Tuskers were bowled out for 213 in 49,2 overs.

Mash Eagles were impressive in the field, with all six bowlers used by veteran skipper Greg Lamb on the wicket column. However, the star of the show was Raza who finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 33 runs in nine overs, bowling his right-arm off break deliveries.

After laying a solid foundation with the ball, Eagles cantered to an impressive win courtesy of a 142-run second wicket partnership between Raza and Chibhabha.

Meanwhile, in the other match MidWest Rhinos registered their first victory of the season after a four-wicket win over reigning champions Mountaineers in a low-scoring match at Mutare Sports Club.