Matabeleland win by 108 runs in Mutare

With the pitch deteriorating, Manicaland were unable to mount a challenge for the 268 runs needed for victory over Matabeleland and subsided to defeat by 108 runs. Andre Hoffman bowled his accurate medium-pacers to good effect and finished with figures of five for 25 off 11.3 overs.

Richie Sims alone looked capable of carrying the fight back to Matabeleland, although Gary Brent fought well at the end. Manicaland were hampered by injuries to Guy Croxford and Kingsley Went, the latter unable to bat at all after breaking a bone in his hand in the field.

Hoffman's bowling was impressive as he bowled wicket to wicket, a rare virtue among Zimbabwean seamers this season, and did a little off the seam, and this proved too much for most of the home players. Although battling with his weight, which restricted him to short spells, he came on six times during the match to take a wicket immediately and break a partnership.