Time to wrap up our coverage as well, folks! Do switch the tabs and join the third match of today's Zim Afro T10, which is about to kickstart. For now, this is Deepak Prakash signing off on behalf of co-commentator Soumarya Dutta and scorer/analyst Raju Khariya. CHEERS!
Dasun Shanaka (Harare Bolts Captain)- "Richard Gleeson was outstanding among the bowlers and he did really well. Each of the players did a really good job for us. We're doing the correct things in the field and we need carry on the momentum in the future games."
David Warner (Bulawayo Brave Jaguars Captain): "Obviously, things didn't go our way today, but there are a few positives with the ball. I felt Daryn Dupavillon bowled really well and made the most of the swinging conditions. However, I think we were about 10-15 runs short.
Yeah, look, we've got a lot of talent and potential. It's just about not losing wickets early with the bat and saving them for the back end to put good totals on the board. I know we've got the talent with the ball too, so we just need to come back tomorrow, stay positive, and give it our best.
Yeah, look, you're playing on completely different surfaces each game. From the reports I got, the other wickets were keeping low, but this one had a bit of extra bounce. It seemed to play nicely towards the back end, and there are definitely some positives to take from that."
Shehan Jayasuriya (Player of the Match): " The pitch was playing slightly slow and we did a really good job and I was happy to contribute. I'm really enjoying playing under Dasun Shanaka and we go a long way back. My captain backs me and gives me the freedom to believe in my strengths. "
Player of the Match: Shehan Jayasuriya
Power Hitter of the Match: Dasun Shanaka
Catch of the Match: Kennar Lewis
Magic Moment of the Match: Daryn Dupavillon
It's time for the Post Match Presentation.
10:23 PM IST, 6:53 PM Local Time: Dasun Shanaka smashed four sixes on the trot off Carlos Brathwaite, helping the Harare Bolts cross the line with 14 balls to spare. The Harare Bolts drubbed the Bulawayo Brave Jaguars by seven wickets, moving to the top of the points table.
Earlier, after being invited to bat first, the Bulawayo Brave Jaguars got off to a shaky start as they lost wickets in clusters and were five down for 39 runs inside the five overs. David Warner, who featured for the first time in Zim Afro T10 2024, failed to make an impact with the bat, departing for just 2 runs. Anamul Haque, who came out to number three, delivered a rapid 22 runs off 6 balls and provided a necessary acceleration at the start of the innings, while Nick Hobson’s 35 runs off just 17 balls helped the Jaguars post 96/8 in 10 overs. Shehan Jayasuriya and Richard Gleeson bagged a couple of wickets each for the Harare Bolts, while Aftab Alam, Brandon Mavuta, and Jimmy Neesham contributed a solitary wicket.
In pursuit of 96 runs, Harare Bolts lost Kennar Lewis (7 off 6) and George Munsey (1 off 2) cheaply, with both batters falling prey to Daryn Dupavillon. Lahiru Milantha got a reprieve in the opening over of the innings, and the left-hander smashed 20 runs off 11 balls, providing a solid start to his side. Dasun Shanaka, who starred in Bolts' previous game came out all guns blazing again and pummeled the Jaguars bowlers all around the park. The Sri Lankan all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 47 runs off 18 balls and secured seven wickets victory for his side.
Daryn Dupavillon bagged a couple of wickets in his opening over, but he wasn’t given a second over. It was a poor decision by Jaguars skipper David Warner, as he should have continued with Dupavillon to maintain pressure on the Bolts' batters. Akila Dananjaya chipped in with a solitary wicket.
6 MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW and Dasun Shanaka finishes off the game in style! It was short again and sat up nicely to be hit. He rocked back and pulled it away over deep square leg for a MAXIMUM to win the game for his side. Harare Bolts clinch this game comfortably by 7 wickets.
Hat-trick of sixes from Shanaka and the scores are level.
7.3 C Brathwaite to D Shanaka
6 SIXXXXX MOREEEE!! Three in a row!! Just one needed now! It was a length ball and on the pads. Shanaka picks up the length again and goes over fine leg to pick up a MAXIMUM.
7.2 C Brathwaite to D Shanaka
6 SIXXX MOREEE!! This game is on borrowed time now! It was fuller this time and around middle stump. But Shanaka was deep in the crease. He picks that one up and whacks it away flat over deep mid wicket for a MAXIMUM. It was incredible use of the wrists.
7.1 C Brathwaite to D Shanaka
6 SIXXXX!!! BIG! It was in the slot and around the leg stump line. Shanaka picked that one up and heaved it away over the deep square leg region for a MAXIMUM.