The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
MUTARE’S Mountaineers coach Shepherd Makunura believes that he has a good squad that will be able to defend the Logan Cup as Mountaineers begin their campaign. Manicaland’s cricket franchise Mountaineers started their campaign last week against Midwest Rhinos where they narrowly won by two runs.
Mountaineers were 278 all out in the first inning and Midwest Rhinos were 230 all out. Mountaineers then got 279 for six in the second innings setting a victory target of 328. Midwest Rhinos were bowled out for 325, winning by two runs. The game was played at Old Harareans Sports Club.
Mountaineers went into the battle without the services of Hamilton Masakadza, who is part of the national team which is taking on West Indies, Shingi Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda and Tendai Chatara who are all injured. Makunura believes that he has a good squad which is ready to compete in this first-class tournament.
“We have started our campaign without Hamilton Masakadza, Shingi Masakadza, Tendai Chatara and Vusi Sibanda. I am very happy that we won our first four- day game. We are looking forward to win the next game. We have maintained the same squad that won the Logan Cup last season and we have beefed up the squad with one Indian player, Mohammed Eqlakh, who is a top-order batsman,” he said.
Mountaineers will compete with other four teams, namely Harare Metropolitan Eagles, Matabeleland Metropolitan Tuskers and Midwest Rhinos. On October 22-25, Mountaineers will take on Harare Metropolitan Eagles at Harare Sports Club. On November 6-9, they will play against Matabeleland Tuskers at Takashinga.
On November 12-15, they will play new boys, Rising Stars before completing the campaign against Harare Metropolitan Eagles on November 21-24. The Logan Cup will pave way for the Associate Twenty20 League which will kick off in November with Pro50 competition expected to begin in the first week of December. Mountaineers Captain Tino Mawoyo said they were looking forward to a good season as a club.
