The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
It’s a worthy final.
That is the best way to describe the local Pro50 Championship final between defending champions Mountaineers and Rhinos that will be played at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday.
The game pits two of the top-performing franchises in the local game.
Rhinos finished top of the round-robin phase of the competition with 55 points from their six games.
Mountaineers, on the other hand, finished second with 40 points from the same number of games, and will be out to defend their crown when the two sides meet.
Ironically, it was Rhinos that was forced to sweat it out, as they only secured their place in the final when they beat Tuskers by 50 runs at Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
In a must-win tie for both Rhinos and Tuskers, and with a place in the final at stake, a brilliant half-century from Kudakwashe Kaitano proved to be the difference as Rhinos cruised to a 50-run victory.
Put in to bat, Kaitano’s 93 off 102 balls propelled Rhinos to 214 all out.
The score proved too big for Tuskers to chase, as the Bulawayo-based franchise was bowled out for 164 runs inside 43 overs.
The 50-run win ensured Rhinos finished on top and secured their place in the finals.
Their opponents in Saturday’s final, Mountaineers, will be looking to bag their second Pro50 Championship on the trot.
However, they will have to contend with Rhinos’ home advantage.
