The Joburg Buffaloes showcased a scintillating performance, registering a comprehensive 9-wicket victory against the table-toppers Cape Town Samp Army in the thrilling Zim Afro T10 at the Harare Sports Club. This triumph marked the Buffaloes’ second consecutive win, elevating them from the bottom of the points table and igniting the battle for the top 4 spots. Skipper Mohammad Hafeez emerged as a star for the Buffaloes, delivering an unbeaten 40 runs to lead his team to victory.
The match commenced with Cape Town Samp Army facing a sluggish start, losing the early wickets of Tadiwanashe Marumani (0) and Matthew Breetzke (3). Meanwhile, Rahmanullah Gurbaz exhibited his fine form, scoring at a brisk pace. However, Gurbaz failed to capitalize on his start, getting dismissed for 27 runs off 12 balls. The in-form Karim Janat supported the innings from the other end, striving to boost his side’s score.
Unfortunately, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0) was dismissed next, and Janat, after making a promising start, was sent back to the pavilion for 20 runs off 13 deliveries. Subsequently, Tom Curran (7) and John Campbell (9*) contributed quick runs, propelling the Samp Army to a competitive total of 89/6.
In response, the Joburg Buffaloes began their innings impressively, with the openers forging a rapid 30-run partnership. Mohammad Hafeez and Tom Banton displayed exquisite shots, setting a strong foundation for their team before Curran’s (7) dismissal.
However, the captain Hafeez and Ravi Bopara, who followed, showed their experience and composure, absorbing the pressure initially before accelerating their innings. Both batsmen adopted an aggressive approach, consistently dealing in big hits.
Hafeez’s batting was outstanding, as he powered the ball with precision and flair, while Bopara showcased his array of sublime shots. Together, they made batting appear effortless under the floodlights. Bopara sealed the victory with a massive six and a well-placed shot to fine leg, bringing an end to the contest. This impressive triumph marked the Buffaloes’ second consecutive win, propelling them to the fourth position on the points table.
Brief Scores
Cape Town Samp Army – 89/6 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 27, Karim Janat – 20; Blessing Muzarabani – 3/7, Victor Nyauchi – 2/11) lost by 9 wickets against Joburg Buffaloes – 90/1 (Mohammad Hafeez – 40*, Ravi Bopara – 30*; Tom Curran – 1/10)
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