In an electrifying final at the Harare Sports Club, the Durban Qalandars emerged victorious, clinching the title in the inaugural edition of the Zim Afro T10. The star of the show was none other than the Afghanistan batter, Hazratullah Zazai, whose explosive power-hitting propelled his team to a resounding 8-wicket victory over the Joburg Buffaloes. With this win, the Durban Qalandars etched their name in history as the first-ever champions of the T10 format in Zimbabwe.
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Opting to bat first, the Joburg Buffaloes got off to a flying start, courtesy of Mohammad Hafeez and Tom Banton’s blistering stroke play. The duo combined for a rapid 50-run partnership in just over three overs, treating the packed crowd to some scintillating cricket. However, their momentum was halted when George Linde dismissed Hafeez for 32, followed by Will Smeed’s departure for 5.
Despite Banton’s impressive 36-run knock, the Buffaloes lost wickets at regular intervals. It was Yusuf Pathan (25 off 14) and Ravi Bopara (22 not out) who managed to push the score to 127/4 by the end of their allotted 10 overs. Tayyab Abbas impressed with the ball for the Qalandars, bagging the crucial wicket of Yusuf Pathan.
Chasing a challenging target, the Durban Qalandars began their innings with New Zealand’s Tim Seifert in a devastating mood. Seifert’s powerful stroke play yielded him 30 runs from just 13 deliveries, setting the tone for the rest of the chase. Joined by the dangerous Hazratullah Zazai, the Qalandars looked determined to claim the title.
Zazai and Andre Fletcher built a solid partnership of 43 runs, showcasing their aggressive intent and entertaining the enthusiastic crowd. Usman Shinwari provided the breakthrough, dismissing Fletcher for 29 off 11 balls. However, Zazai remained undeterred and continued to pummel the bowlers.
Asif Ali then joined Zazai, and the duo unleashed a breathtaking display of boundary-hitting, leaving the bowlers helpless. With an outstanding display of power and skill, they took the match down to the wire, requiring only 7 runs off the final over.
Although Asif Ali was dropped on the first ball of the last over, it was Hazratullah Zazai who had the final say. With nerves of steel, Zazai smashed a boundary straight down the ground, securing a stunning 8-wicket victory with 4 balls to spare. Zazai remained unbeaten on a match-winning 43 runs from 22 deliveries, earning him the Player of the Final award.
Throughout the tournament, Tim Seifert, the New Zealand batter, showcased his consistency and match-winning abilities with the bat, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Tournament award for his exceptional contributions to the Durban Qalandars’ successful campaign.
Brief Scores:
Joburg Buffaloes: 127/4 (Tom Banton 36, Mohammad Hafeez 32; George Linde 1/22, Brad Evans 1/24)
Durban Qalandars: 129/2 (Hazratullah Zazai 43*, Tim Seifert 30; Usman Shinwari 2/15)
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