Tuskers, Botswana Select in T20 stalemate

THE T20 series between Tuskers Select and Botswana is tied at 1-1 after Tuskers won the first match by five wickets and lost the second one by seven wickets at Bulawayo Athletic Club yesterday.

After opting to field in the first match, Tuskers restricted Botswana to 101-7 in 20 overs and managed to chase it down in 14.3 overs, finishing with 102-5. In the second match, Tuskers posted 101-9 in 20 overs and the visitors chased it with three overs to go to finish with 103-3.

Both matches were played on the same day with the first one being played in the morning whilst the second one was in the afternoon. In the first match, Mzingaye Mdlongwa got the most wickets for the hosts, finishing with two wickets in his three overs. Prince Kaunda, Arnold Shara, Tawanda Maposa and Shaun Dzakatira took one wicket each as they rounded up Botswana’s innings.

Maposa was also crucial in the chase as he top scored with 63 runs not out and was supported by Allan Chigoma who scored 27 runs to guide Tuskers Select to a comfortable win.

The afternoon match saw the hosts struggling with the bat as four of their batters finished with no runs on the board. Adrian Mupembe was the top scorer with 39 runs whilst Chigoma scored 29 runs.

Mmoloki Mooketsi took the most wickets for the visitors with three conceding just seven runs in four overs.

Despite taking an early wicket, Tuskers could not restrict Botswana as they comfortably chased down the target. Opener Reginald Nehonde top scored for Botswana with 44 runs.

Nehonde was supported by Vinoo Balakrishnah who scored 38 runs to guide the visitors to a comfortable victory that leveled the series.

Maposa took two wickets for the home side whilst Jeffrey Mhuriyengwe took the other wicket that fell.

Botswana are using the series as preparations for their regional division two qualifiers. After the series, Tuskers will return to List A action against Rhinos in Bulawayo as they eye a place in the final of the 2022/23 Pro50 Championship season.

The next matches between Tuskers Select and Botswana are scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday and the final one will be on Thursday before Botswana return home the following day. - Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin