Neesham, Van der Dussen, Zazai Star as Zim Afro T10 Season 2 Kicks Off with Thrilling Action
Neesham, Van der Dussen, Zazai Star as Zim Afro T10 Season 2 Kicks Off with Thrilling Action: The Zim Afro T10 Season 2 got off to a flying start with three high-octane matches at the Harare Sports Club. The opening day saw Hazratullah Zazai, James Neesham, and Rassie van der Dussen take center stage with stellar performances, while bowlers like Richard Gleeson and Adam Milne also made a strong impact.
The action-packed Saturday evening delivered exciting wins for the Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers, Harare Bolts, and NYS Lagos, showcasing thrilling finishes and power-packed innings. Here’s how the day unfolded:
Match 1: Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers Triumph Over Durban Wolves
The Durban Wolves put up a competitive 106/5 after solid contributions from Mark Chapman (38) and Sharjeel Khan (29), despite some excellent bowling from Adam Milne (1/9) and Sikandar Raza (1/19).
In response, Hazratullah Zazai set the tone with a quick-fire 44, partnering with Mohammad Shahzad (13*) to build a solid foundation. Kusal Perera (23*) and captain Sikandar Raza added finishing touches, as the Tigers chased down the target in 7.4 overs, winning by 8 wickets.
Brief Scores: Durban Wolves – 106/5 (Mark Chapman – 38, Sharjeel Khan – 29; Adam Milne – 1/9) Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers – 109/2 in 7.4 overs (Hazratullah Zazai – 44, Kusal Perera – 23*)
Match 2: Neesham and Munsey Power Harare Bolts to Victory
In the second game, Cape Town Samp Army posted a decent 103/5 thanks to a blazing start by Dawid Malan (31 off 14) and Leonardo Julien (34*). Richard Gleeson was the star with the ball for Harare, picking up 3/8 in his two overs.
The Bolts faced early trouble with their top order, losing five wickets quickly. However, James Neesham (30*) and George Munsey (33*) mounted a stunning comeback, smashing 60 runs in just 24 balls to pull off a 5-wicket win with three deliveries to spare.
Brief Scores: Cape Town Samp Army – 103/5 (Dawid Malan – 31, Leonardo Julien – 34*; Richard Gleeson – 3/8) Harare Bolts – 105/5 in 9.3 overs (George Munsey – 33*, James Neesham – 30*)
Match 3: Rassie van der Dussen’s Fifty Seals the Deal for NYS Lagos
In the final match, Bulawayo Brave Jaguars put up 101/4 on the board, thanks to crucial knocks from Carlos Brathwaite (34) and Kobe Herft (31*). Binura Fernando impressed with an economical spell of 1/11.
NYS Lagos came out firing, with Rassie van der Dussen leading the charge. His blistering 51, supported by Avishka Fernando’s 34, took Lagos to a commanding position. Van der Dussen’s fifty—Season 2’s first—set the stage for a comfortable 7-wicket win, with Ryan Burl (11*) and Thisara Perera (4*) guiding them home.
Brief Scores: Bulawayo Brave Jaguars – 101/4 (Carlos Brathwaite – 34, Kobe Herft – 31*; Matiullah Khan – 2/27) NYS Lagos – 102/3 in 9.4 overs (Rassie van der Dussen – 51, Avishka Fernando – 34)
Summary of Day 1
The opening day of the Zim Afro T10 Season 2 was filled with thrilling finishes, brilliant individual performances, and balanced contests between bat and ball. With the likes of Hazratullah Zazai, James Neesham, and Rassie van der Dussen lighting up the field, cricket fans are in for an exciting season ahead.
Stay tuned as the action continues with more teams and players looking to leave their mark on this fast-paced tournament!
