Southern Rocks tightened their hold at the summit of the 2025/26 Domestic T20 competition after edging MountaiMountaineersneers by four runs under the Duckworth–Lewis method in a rain-affected match at Kwekwe Sports Club on Wednesday.
A fluent half-century from Lennox Chando proved the cornerstone of the Rocks’ success, as his composed innings gave them a defendable total before bad weather intervened. Sent in to bat, Southern Rocks enjoyed a strong start through Chando and Ashley Mufandauya, whose opening partnership of 81 in just under 12 overs laid a solid platform.
Mufandauya departed after a brisk 26, while Chando followed soon after, having anchored the innings with a well-crafted 50 from 44 deliveries. The middle order then looked to accelerate, but wickets fell at regular intervals as Mountaineers’ bowlers kept things tight. Innocent Kaia was the most productive contributor late in the innings with 24, helping the Rocks reach 137 for five in their 20 overs.
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Southern Rocks carried their momentum into the field, striking early to remove both Mountaineers openers inside the first seven overs to leave the chase wobbling at 34 for two. Brian Bennett and Nick Welch attempted to rebuild, but their stand was cut short when lightning and rain forced the players off the field.
Play never resumed, and at the stoppage Mountaineers were 50 for two after 8.5 overs, four runs short of the revised Duckworth–Lewis target, handing Southern Rocks a crucial victory.
The win propels Southern Rocks to the top of the Domestic T20 standings with 11 points from seven matches, underlining their growing authority in the competition. Persistent rain later in the day meant no further action was possible at Kwekwe, with the afternoon fixture between Eagles and Rhinos abandoned without a ball being bowled.
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