Sports

Zimbabwe seal series victory after Raza and Chakabva script thrilling comeback

Published

3 years ago

August 7, 2022

BY MOHAMMAD ISAM

Sikandar Raza‘s second successive unbeaten century and captain Regis Chakabva‘s 102 off just 75 balls fired Zimbabwe to a five-wicket win over Bangladesh to complete their first ODI series win against a major team in five years.

Raza had earlier taken 3 for 56 to help restrict the visitors to 290-9 after a blistering start, and his calculated approach in the chase, punctuated by breathtaking shots, gave a full house at the Harare Sports Club a Sunday to remember.

Two days after his 192-run fourth wicket stand with Innocent Kaia had taken Zimbabwe to a five wicket win in the first ODI, Raza had the company of Chakabva while scripting another challenging chase.

Chakabva made his maiden hundred, which, coming up in just 73 balls, was the fastest by a Zimbabwean batter in ODIs.

Coming together at a precarious 49 for 4, Raza and Chakabva added 201 for the fifth wicket, off just 189 balls.

It was only the third 200- plus stand in Zimbabwe’s ODI history and their highest for the fifth wicket.

Raza has now been involved in two of the three 200-plus stands.

The end came swiftly even though Chakabva fell with Zimbabwe still needing 41 to win.

But debutant Tony Munyonga, after a nervous start, cracked Shoriful Islam for a four and two sixes in the 47th over, after Taskin Ahmed dropped him at the start of the over.

The over ended with Munyonga dropped once again, at point.

Zimbabwe started their 291-run chase worse than how they started their 304-run chase in the first ODI.

Hasan Mahmud had both Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Kaia caught behind within the first three overs.

Wessly Madhevere was lbw to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, before Taijul Islam made it 49 for 4 when Tadiwanashe Marumani was caught in the covers in the left-arm spinner’s first over.

But Raza stepped up once again.

He hardly allowed the Bangladesh bowlers to settle despite the required rate hovering around the 7.50 mark as early as the 24th over.

Raza first attacked Mahmud, Bangladesh’s best bowler till that point, with a four and a six in the 20th over.

Raza and Chakabva went after Shoriful Islam next, taking him for three boundaries in the 25th over.

In the next over, however, Bangladesh missed a run-out opportunity, with the bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz failing to connect the ball with the stumps at the non-striker’s end, after the throw came in from short fine-leg.

There was a huge cheer when Raza walked back to the crease upon finding out that he was not out.

Rather than taking their time to gather their wits for a few overs, Raza and Chakabva followed up the run-out scare by hitting three sixes in the next three overs.

Then Chakabva brought the crowd to their feet when he smashed Taskin Ahmed for four fours in a row in the 30th over.

The pair reached their individual hundreds in the 43nd over.

Raza rushed for his umpteenth brace and completed his Michael-Slater-like celebration.

Two balls later, Chakabva smashed Mahmud for a six high over midwicket.

His celebration was one of relief.

Zimbabwe more or less dominated the whole game.

They kept Bangladesh on a leash through the middle overs, ensuring they didn’t reach 300 despite productive first and third powerplays.

Captain Tamim Iqbal struck 10 fours and a six in a 45-ball 50 as the visitors raced to 62 without loss in their first 10 overs.

The left-hander timed the ball sweetly square of the wicket on the off side, including an upper-cut six off Brad Evans.

Tamim also drove the ball well down the ground, but his innings was cut short when his hoick of Tanaka Chivanga found the square-leg fielder.

Tamim’s dismissal slowed down the Bangladesh innings.

Despite a 50-run third-wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, their run rate hovered around the 5.5 mark.

Mahmudullah‘s 82-run fifth wicket stand with Afif Hossain recovered the pace of the innings, but they had to play within themselves to an extent with the danger of a wicket exposing Bangladesh’s long tail too early.

Mahmudullah, however, managed to strike three sixes in the last four overs as Bangladesh made 84 runs in their last 10.

It was five less than they had scored in the same phase of the first ODI, but there was a bit more thud in the way they batted in the last few overs.

Zimbabwe’s offspinners gave them five crucial wickets, between Raza’s 3 for 56 and part-timer Madhevere’s 2 for 40.

Victor Nyauchi and Tanaka Chivanga bowled well within themselves, though Luke Jongwe and Brad Evans went wicketless.

But the home side could afford those errors since Raza and Chakabva had them covered, well and truly. – ESPN

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Ex- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys holiday break in Victoria Falls

Published

1 month ago

March 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been enjoying a holiday in Victoria Falls.

The 83-year-old Scot who has sufferer a series of personal setbacks in the last few years looked healthy and happy as he was mobbed by Manchester United fans during his visit to Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destination.

Ferguson was happy to pose for pictures with staff at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge on Sunday at the end of his three-day stay.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority took note of his visit, posting on X: “We appreciate your choice of your holiday destination Sir Alex Ferguson. Zimbabwe loves you, please come again and continue to experience Zimbabwe.”

Ferguson resigned as Manchester United manager in 2013 after 26 years at the club and remains the most successful manager in English Premier League history.

In 2018, he collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital with a brain hemorrhage which required surgery.

In 2023, his wife Cathy died at the age of 84 and a year later Ferguson stood down from his role as an ambassador for Manchester United it seems to travel the world.

SOURCE: ZIMLIVE

National

Bosso CEO Sihlangu Dlodlo dies

Published

5 months ago

October 29, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY FUNGAI MUDERERE

Highlanders Football Club chief executive officer Sihlangu Dlodlo has died.

According to The Chronicle newspaper, he was found dead at his Nketa 9 home in Bulawayo Monday evening, one of his close friends, Allan “Ripper” Mpofu, confirmed last night.

Dlodlo’s body was discovered after close associates forced entry into his premises.

He had not been seen since Saturday.

“It seems like my friend passed on over the weekend. He was alone at his place,” said a shaken Mpofu with sobs.

“After the alarm was raised that he had gone missing, with the help of his relatives we had to force open the gate at his place to gain entry.

“After peeping through the window, I could not believe my eyes. I saw the lifeless body of my close friend. This is so disheartening; it’s really sad.

“We discovered this around 6.45pm. I cannot speak further because I have to respect his (Sihlangu) family.”

Highlanders chairman Kenneth Mhlophe said Sihlangu’s death was a huge loss to the Bosso family and that they were waiting for the Dlodlo family to give the green light to comment more.

“It’s sad. We are disturbed. It’s a big loss to us but we have been advised by our board chairman (Luke Mkandla) to first have the green light from the Dlodlo family to comment further,” said Mhlophe.

Ex-Highlanders chief executive Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube said he was devastated.

“Just look at my WhatsApp status; It’s a picture of him and me watching the Highlanders Royals game on Saturday. My mind is all over. Maybe I can only comment tomorrow (today). I’m not okay. I cannot find the right words now,” said Dube.

One of Bosso’s popular followers Duduzu “Teekay” Sibanda was at a loss for words.

“What a loss. I was with him on Saturday when the Emgwanwini Chapter hosted a tournament. We also watched the Highlanders Royals in action against a team from Mutare together.

“He also gave me his address. We spent the whole day with him. This is sad,” said Sibanda.

While finer details could not be obtained on what happened to the late Sihlangu, social media was already abuzz about his untimely death.

At around 8.20pm yesterday, the body of the late Sihlangu was yet to be taken to a mortuary.

The late Dlodlo was appointed Bosso head of secretariat in April to replace Ronald Moyo who opted against renewing his contract with the Bulawayo giants.

Dlodlo is a former Premier Soccer League secretary-general and ex-Bantu Rovers general manager.

Before his appointment at Highlanders, he was the general manager at Kings and Queens Funeral Services, a position he held from November last year, and had also been a sales and marketing executive at the company.

The late Dlodlo, who also worked at Innscor Africa as a sales marketing manager, was also a veteran arts administrator who enjoyed a good working relationship with the late Cont Mhlanga at Amakhosi Cultural Centre.

He was also praised for many breakthrough strategies that led to Amakhosi’s emergence as a powerhouse on the arts scene in the 90s.

The late Dlodlo will also be remembered for his service in the private sector, taken as proof by some that artistes could lead and thrive even beyond the arts.

SOURCE: THE CHRONICLE

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ZOU hosts sports gala

Published

5 months ago

October 28, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOTHANDO DUBE

It was a colorful and action-packed day at Mkoba Teachers college as Zimbabwe Open University held its Sports Gala on weekend, bringing together students from its ten regional campuses across the country.

A total of 130 students from all regional campuses participated in a variety of sporting activities.

The list of games included athletics, soccer, netball, volleyball, days, javelin and high jump.

Zimbabwe Open University is an Open and distance and e-learning (OdeL) institution that has ten regional campuses and one virtual campus totaling to 11 campuses.

Most of the learning is done online and events like these give students a platform to share the experience and environment enjoyed by their counterparts from conventional tertiary institutions.

A total of 13 students from each region represented their regional campuses across the sporting areas outlined.

The wellness and interaction event was attended and graced by The Dean of Students, Thandiwe Chivasa together with staff from the national Centre and 10 Student advisors from the ten regional campuses.

Volleyball and athletics drew much excitement from all teams as regions cheered for their teams.

The winning teams walked away with medals and trophies for excelling.

The event was a resounding success after a long six years break from such games by the institution.

Students living with disabilities were part of the fun and excitement throughout the day.