Today’s Results – Game One*
Aziz Damani Scorpions 84/6 (14 overs)
Mamba Challengers 86/3 (12.2 overs)
(Mamba Challengers won by 7 wickets)
Game Two:
Mamba Challengers 102/9 (14 overs)
The Royal Varsani Bucks 98/10 (13.5 overs)
(Mamba Challengers won by 4 runs)
Mamba Challengers pulled off a stunner in the Elite T20 League when they came out as the only winners in their double-header day on Thursday at Lugogo Cricket Oval.
In the first game, Mamba beat Aziz Damani Scorpions by seven wickets – 86/3 (12.2 overs) against 84/6 (14 overs). Mamba’s Ivan Thawithemwira was named man of the match after posting 46 off 27 balls; 4 fours & 3 sixes.
In the afternoon game, Mamba beat The Royal Varsani Bucks by a slim four runs. Mamba’s Rogers Olipa claimed man of the match honors after posting 3 for 18 in 3 overs & 14 runs off 15 balls.
It was the first time Mamba claimed maximum points ever since the league bowled off on Sunday.
Before the Thursday do, a single loss or shared points by Mamba implied that they were out of contention for the final but they have hanged on.
With only two top teams set to play in the Saturday final, and with the other slot already filled by Scorpions, Mamba and Bucks will find their fate today, Friday when the final round comes to a close.
Table toppers Scorpions are a boasting with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.699 and eight points off four wins and two losses.
Second placed Bucks are having an NRR of -0.455 and seven points off three wins, three losses and one draw.
Albeit ‘rising from the dead,’ Mamba are still at the bottom of the table but with an improved NRR of -0.179 and five points off two wins, four losses and one draw.
Friday is a double-header day for already qualified Scorpions and the other two teams are keen on joining the yellow boys in the Saturday final.
Should Scorpions beat Mamba in the morning game, then Bucks have made it to the final without bowling a single ball.
However, if Mamba are to make it to the final, they must beat Scorpions with a huge wickets margin and also hope that Scorpions thrash Bucks in the final game of the second round.
The final will be payed on Saturday afternoon in Lugogo.
Friday, 30th October Fixtures:
10a.m: Mamba Challengers vs. Aziz Damani Scorpions
2p.m: Aziz Damani Scorpions vs. The Royal Varsani Bucks