Munro and van der Dussen Star as NYS Lagos Go Top of the Table in Zim Afro T10

An exciting Sunday of Zim Afro T10 cricket saw brilliant half-centuries from Colin Munro and Rassie van der Dussen, helping their respective teams, Durban Wolves and NYS Lagos, register crucial victories. The day concluded with a thrilling contest as Cape Town Samp Army edged out the Bulawayo Brave Jaguars in a low-scoring match. NYS Lagos, with two consecutive wins, finished the day at the top of the points table.

Match 1: Durban Wolves vs Harare Bolts

In the opening game, Harare Bolts posted a competitive 99/3 in their 10 overs, thanks to solid contributions from George Munsey (37) and Sean Williams (35). However, the Durban Wolves’ bowlers, especially Dawlat Zadran (2/12) and Mohammad Irfan (1/11), kept things under control. In response, the Wolves had a shaky start, losing Sharjeel Khan on the first ball. But Colin Munro took charge, playing a stunning knock of 58* from 29 balls, including five boundaries and four sixes. Supported by Will Smeed (13) and Mark Chapman (12*), Munro guided the Wolves to a comfortable 7-wicket victory with four balls to spare.

Match 2: NYS Lagos vs Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers

The second game saw another remarkable batting display, this time by Rassie van der Dussen, who continued his fine form with an unbeaten 81 from just 32 deliveries. Van der Dussen’s knock, studded with eight sixes and four boundaries, alongside contributions from Avishka Fernando (20) and Najibullah Zadran (20), powered NYS Lagos to an imposing total of 133/2. In response, the Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers struggled to get going despite efforts from Hazratullah Zazai (18), Tashinga Musekiwa (21), and Charith Asalanka (17). Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy’s 3/19 and Thisara Perera’s 2/11 stifled the chase as NYS Lagos won by 16 runs.

Match 3: Cape Town Samp Army vs Bulawayo Brave Jaguars

In the final match of the day, the Cape Town Samp Army held their nerve to secure a 3-wicket win in a low-scoring affair against the Bulawayo Brave Jaguars. Batting first, the Jaguars were restricted to 83/6, with Kobe Herft (38) and Nick Hobson (21*) being the only notable contributors. David Willey (3/13) and Amir Hamza (2/11) shone with the ball for Samp Army. The chase wasn’t straightforward for Samp Army, as Wesley Madhavere’s 3/17 and Akila Dananjaya’s 2/19 caused trouble, but Brian Bennett (20) and Rohan Mustafa (19) steadied the innings before Qais Ahmad’s six over long-off sealed the win with more than an over to spare.

Brief Scores:

Match 1:
Durban Wolves – 101/3 in 9.2 overs (Colin Munro 58*, Will Smeed 13, Dasun Shanaka 1/23)
beat
Harare Bolts – 99/3 in 10 overs (George Munsey 37, Sean Williams 35, Dawlat Zadran 2/12, Mohammad Irfan 1/11) by 7 wickets.

Match 2:
NYS Lagos – 133/2 in 10 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 81*, Najibullah Zadran 20, Karim Janat 2/14)
beat
Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers – 117/7 in 10 overs (Tashinga Musekiwa 21, Hazratullah Zazai 18, Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy 3/19, Thisara Perera 2/11) by 16 runs.

Match 3:
Cape Town Samp Army – 87/7 in 8.4 overs (Brian Bennett 20, Rohan Mustafa 19, Wesley Madhavere 3/17, Akila Dananjaya 2/19)
beat
Bulawayo Brave Jaguars – 83/6 in 10 overs (Kobe Herft 38, Nick Hobson 21*, David Willey 3/13, Amir Hamza 2/11) by 3 wickets.

It was a day packed with action, and NYS Lagos emerged as the team to watch, leading the tournament with two wins from two matches.