In a thrilling encounter at the Harare Sports Club during the inaugural edition of the Zim Afro T10, the Durban Qalandars emerged victorious against the Bulawayo Braves by a mere 7 runs in a closely contested match. The clash, held on 27th July 2023, was a spectacle of intense competition and exceptional performances.
Opting to bat first, the Durban Qalandars suffered an early setback as Taskin Ahmed, leading the charge for the Braves, struck in the very first over, removing both the in-form Tim Seifert and Andre Fletcher for 0 and 6 runs, respectively. The Qalandars’ skipper, Craig Ervine, also fell for a duck in the next over, courtesy of Tanaka Chivanga’s brilliant bowling.
Taskin Ahmed continued to make an impact, dismissing Hazratullah Zazai for a mere 5 runs, leaving the Qalandars struggling at 14/4 after just three overs. It seemed as though the Braves’ dominant bowling attack had gained the upper hand early in the match. However, Nick Welch and Asif Ali joined forces, determined to resurrect their team’s innings.
Together, Welch and Ali constructed a crucial 34-run partnership for the fifth wicket, displaying a mix of aggression and caution against the relentless Braves’ bowlers. Despite Ali’s impressive knock of 32 off 20 deliveries, the Qalandars lost wickets at regular intervals. George Linde, with an unbeaten 28, and the lower-order batsmen managed to push the team’s total past the 100-run mark, finishing at 103/8 in their allotted 10 overs.
Chasing 104 for victory, the Bulawayo Braves faced a tough challenge against the Qalandars’ disciplined bowling attack. Daryn Dupavillon struck early for the Qalandars, removing Innocent Kaia for a duck. Brad Evans then accounted for Ben McDermott (8) and Kobe Herft (1), leaving the Braves reeling at 22/3.
Sikandar Raza and Beau Webster took charge of the innings, forming a crucial partnership to stabilize the Braves’ chase. They put on a promising 42-run stand, building hopes of a successful chase. However, Tendai Chatara stepped up for the Qalandars, dismissing Raza for 21 and breaking the partnership.
Webster continued to fight valiantly, but the Qalandars struck again, with Chatara claiming Webster’s wicket for a well-played 40. The match entered its final stages, and Thisara Perera tried to take charge in the death overs, but he ultimately fell prey to Chatara’s impressive bowling, leaving the Braves needing 10 runs from the last 4 balls.
With the pressure mounting, the Qalandars’ bowlers held their nerve. Chatara struck again, picking up the wicket of Ryan Burl on the second last ball of the match. With 8 runs required off the last ball, the Braves’ hopes were dashed as Patrick Dooley was run out, and the Qalandars secured a nail-biting 7-run victory.
Tendai Chatara was the standout performer for the Durban Qalandars, finishing with remarkable figures of 3/9, and he played a significant role in the team’s triumph. For the Bulawayo Braves, Taskin Ahmed was their leading bowler with 3/20.
Brief Scores:
Durban Qalandars: 103/8 (Asif Ali – 32, George Linde – 28*; Taskin Ahmed – 3/20, Patrick Dooley – 2/16)
Bulawayo Braves: 96/6 (Beau Webster – 40, Sikandar Raza – 21; Tendai Chatara – 3/9, Brad Evans – 2/9)
The match will be remembered as a nail-biting encounter that kept the fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball, highlighting the excitement and intensity of T10 cricket.
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