Metropolitan Bank Twenty20

March 19, 2008 - March 21, 2008

Champions: Easterns
Runner-up: Westerns

The Metropolitan Bank Twenty20 tournament kicked off the provincial domestic season, and featured all of the countries top cricketers. Easterns were the dominant team of the tournament, and there was some concern that Zimbabwe Cricket had placed the countries top players, such as Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Timycen Maruma, in this team to show there is depth outside of the urban centres. However, Northerns province, who featured Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu and Graeme Cremer, were arguably a stronger side, and they didn't make it to the finals, suggesting perhaps that the claims were unfounded.

The tournament featured several names from the past, such as fast bowler Ian Nicolson (Southerns), batsman Malcolm Waller (Centrals) and bowler Brian Vitori (Southerns). However there were several noticable missing faces, such as Khawaluni Ntuil, the Westerns fast bowler, Freedom Takarusenga, the Westerns all-rounder, and Kyle Jarvis, the under 19's fast bowler who was unlucky to miss out on a place in the Northerns squad.

The three day tournament was held in Harare, with matches being shared between Harare Sports Club and the Country Club (Zimbabwe Cricket Academy). The first 2 days saw four matches being played, two in the morning with one at each venue, and two in the afternoon with one at each venue again. The final day had a regular morning routine, but instead of the typical two afternoon matches, it was just the final match at Harare Sports Club.


Northerns, Southerns, Easterns, Westerns, Centrals

Star Players

Hamilton Masakadza

Masakadza tore this competition apart. As captain of Easterns, he played in all 5 of their matches - including the final - and batted 4 times. He scored a total of 267 runs without getting out, including one knock worth 101. He struck 7 sixes in total. With his medium pace deliveries, Masakadza was the third highest wicket taker of the tournament, behind Keith Dabengwa (8) and Prosper Utseya (7). He won the man of the series award for his allround efforts.

Brendan Taylor

Taylor missed out on that elusive Twenty20 century by 15 runs when he scored 85 not out against Southerns in the second match of the tournament. Batting first, Taylor opened the batting and guided the Northerns to 3/227 after 20 overs, before going on to record a massive 158 run win. He also scored a second half century, 63 not out, against Centrals, a match Northerns won by 9 wickets with 6 balls to spare. Taylor was the second highest run scorer of the tournament, smashing 168 runs at an average of 84.00.

Match results

Game 1: Easterns def. Westerns by 40 runs
Game 2: Northerns def. Southerns by 158 runs
Game 3: Easterns def. Centrals by 54 runs
Game 4: Westerns def. Southerns by 53 runs
Game 5: Centrals def. Westerns by 6 wickets
Game 6: Easterns def. Northerns by 7 wickets
Game 7: Easterns def. Southerns by 6 wickets
Game 8: Northerns def. Centrals by 9 wickets (with 6 balls left)
Game 9: Centrals def. Southerns by 30 runs
Game 10: Westerns def. Northerns by 47 runs

Points table:

    | #  Team                    Pl  W   L  Pts  Net RR   |
    | 1. Easterns                4   4   0  24   +2.117   |
    | 2. Westerns                4   2   2  13   +0.479   |
    | 3. Northerns               4   2   2  11   +1.105   |
    | 4. Centrals                4   1   3  6    -0.880   |
    | 5. Southerns               4   1   3  6    -2.709   |

Final: Easterns (9/142, H. Masakadza 82*) def. Westerns (9/135, K. Dabengwa 42)

Easterns were the standout team of the tournament, and Westerns did a very good job to get as close as they did to winning the Twenty20 title.


Northerns: Regis Chakabva, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Graeme Cremer, Trevor Garwe, Admire Manyumwa, Prince Masvaure, Sammy Mwakayeni, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Brendan Taylor, Prosper Tsvanhu, Cephas Zwuwawo

Southerns:Gerald Aliseni, Chamu Chibhabha, Jemton Chinyengetere, Robertson Chinyengetere (capt), Tendai Chisoro, Terrence Duffin, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Blessing Mahwire, Hilary Matanga, Ashby Mutumbami, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Ian Nicolson, Brian Vitori

Easterns: Edzai Jaure, Philmon Kadziche, Alec Maparura, Timycen Maruma, Johnson Marumisa, Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Shingarai Masakadza, Stuart Matsika, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tino Mawoyo, Evans Mujaji, Silent Mujaji, Steady Musoso, Forster Mutizwa (wk), Steven Nyamuzinga, Prosper Utseya

Westerns: Keith Dabengwa (capt), Romeo Kasawaya, Simbarashe Kusano, Mark Mabuza, Thabo Mboyi, Chris Mpofu, Bornaparte Mujuru, Tawanda Mupariwa, Njabulo Ncube, Tafadzwa Ngulube (wk), John Nyumbu, Bradley Staddon, Greg Strydom

Centrals: Bothwell Chapungu, Patiant Charumbira, Eric Chauluka, Innocent Chikunya, Michael Chinouya, Gary Chirimuuta, Friday Kasteni, Tarisai Mahlunge (wk), Solomon Mire, Brighton Mugochi, Taurai Muzarabani, Remembrance Nyathi, Ed Rainsford (capt), Malcolm Waller