MARYLEBONE Cricket Club beat Zimbabwe’s Mid West Rhinos by six wickets with one ball to spare in a tense T20 contest at Kwekwe Sports Club on Monday.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Rhinos made 134 for seven from their 20 overs, built around captain Ben Curran’s 56 off 46 deliveries. He held the innings together after early wickets, striking six boundaries before falling in the 17th over. Victor Chirwa added 34, but MCC’s bowlers kept the runs in check. Joseph Davies and Jasper Davidson took two wickets each, while Ben Allison was the most economical with one for 10 from his four overs.
MCC’s reply stuttered when Trevor Gwandu dismissed captain Will Smale for two. Daniel da Costa and Billy Mead steadied the innings, with Mead top-scoring with 41 from 33 balls before being caught at long-off. Simon Fernandes added 33 but when he fell in the 17th over, the chase remained in the balance.
Darren Ironside and Mohammed Rizvi guided the visitors home. Ironside made 24 from 22 balls, while Rizvi’s unbeaten 14 finished the job in the last over. Gwandu led the Rhinos’ attack with two for 20.
Despite ending on the losing side, Rhinos skipper Ben Curran was named Player of the Match for his half-century that gave his side a competitive total.
