Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-Scorpions Cricket Club were crowned champions of the Masvingo CABS T20 Tournament after defeating Knights Cricket Club by 50 runs in a final played yesterday at Masvingo Sports Club.
Scorpions posted a solid 146/3 in their 20 overs before bowling out Knights for 96 in 17.3 overs to seal a convincing victory.
In the semi-finals, Knights Cricket Club had booked their place in the final with a commanding win over Poly Panthers, defeating them by 164 runs.
Scorpions Cricket Club’s success was driven by standout performances from key players captain Praise Makaza, Winfred Matende and Takunda Madembo making significant contributions.
The trio also featured prominently on the tournament MVP leaderboard with Makaza scoring 26.35 points, Matende 25.35 and Madembo 20.13.
With the bat, Winfred Matende emerged as the tournament’s top run scorer, amassing 237 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 59.25 and a strike rate above 140, underlining his consistency throughout the competition.
The tournament featured four teams from Masvingo Scorpions Cricket Club, Knights Cricket Club, Methane Lions and Poly Panthers, showcasing local cricket talent in a competitive inaugural edition.
Speaking after the victory, Scorpions Cricket Club captain Praise Makaza described the final as one of the team’s best performances of the tournament.
“I think it was one of the best games we played in this tournament. The boys were composed and approached it like any other match, with the same hunger to win and it worked in our favour,” said Makaza.
He highlighted the dismissal of Knights’ key player Walter Matawu as the turning point of the match.
“That wicket was crucial. We had been taking wickets regularly and removing their star performer further choked their hopes of chasing the target,” he added.
Makaza also praised the team’s all-round effort, noting the strong start provided by the openers with Matende scoring a half-century while Madembo offered solid support. The spin duo of Vincent Moyo and Gabriel Jaya played a key role with the ball combining for four wickets while maintaining tight control. Makaza himself contributed with two quick wickets to seal the win.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork throughout the tournament and acknowledged the support from sponsors Southern Rocks and CABS Bank for ensuring the smooth running of the competition.
The captain said winning the inaugural tournament is a major confidence boost for the young squad.
“It means a lot to us. This being the inaugural season, it gives confidence to the youngsters in our team,” he said.
Looking ahead, Scorpions Cricket Club will now turn their focus to the upcoming Masvingo Cricket Association (MCA) 50/50 competition, a 50-over format where they hope to continue their winning momentum.
