After a slow start to the tournament, Joburg Buffalos finally hit their stride and secured a thrilling victory against Cape Town Samp Armies in the Zim Afro T10 League on Wednesday. The high-voltage encounter was filled with spectacular moments, with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim showcasing his brilliance on the field by taking two fantastic catches, although missing out on a stumping opportunity.
Joburg Buffalos’ controlled bowling attack kept Cape Town at bay for a considerable time, and Mushfiqur Rahim played a pivotal role in supporting the bowlers. In the beginning of the innings, when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was on a roll with 18 runs in an over, Mushfiqur stunned the audience with a brilliant catch to dismiss him. In the same over, he struck again, accounting for the wicket of Mathew Breetzke, dealing a significant blow to Cape Town’s destructive batting lineup.
Throughout the innings, Mushfiqur provided unwavering support to the bowlers, acting as an inspirational force for the team. His exceptional performance in the field, combined with astute wicket-keeping and efficient batting, restricted Cape Town Stamp Armies to a total of 89 runs.
Chasing a target of 90 runs, Joburg Buffalos were determined to clinch a victory. Captain Mohammad Hafeez played a crucial role, displaying his expertise with the bat and ensuring that Joburg achieved the target with ease. Collaborating with Robbie Bopara, Hafeez’s innings of 40 runs off 23 balls contributed significantly to the team’s success. Bopara’s unbeaten 30 runs off 11 balls further solidified the victory for Joburg. The team reached the target in just 6.5 overs, with 9 wickets still in hand.
With this win, Joburg Buffalos have soared to the top of the points table at number four, surpassing Taskin Ahmed’s Bulawayo Braves. Having played seven matches so far, Joburg has secured its third win, firmly establishing itself as a formidable contender in the T10 tournament.
