Staff Writer 
SOUTHERN Rocks underlined their dominance in Zimbabwean domestic cricket with a resounding eight-wicket victory over Mountaineers to clinch the 2025/26 CABS Pro50 Championship title at Masvingo Sports Club on Saturday, sealing a memorable season double after their Logan Cup success.
The triumph marks Rocks’ second Pro50 title since the 2010/11 season and caps a campaign in which they consistently set the pace, having also topped the standings during the league phase.
Their all-round performance in the final reflected the same authority that defined their season.
Incidentally, the Pro50 Championship features the country’s five first-class provincial teams – Eagles, Mountaineers, Rhinos, Tuskers and Southern Rocks, all of who are beneficiaries of a US$50 000 sponsorship package from leading financial institution CABS.
The sponsorship package goes towards the teams’ participation in the ongoing Pro50 Championship and Logan Cup competitions, as well as the Domestic T20 Competition.
Mountaineers, the defending champions, posted 230 all out in 49.2 overs after being sent in to bat.
Openers Joylord Gumbie and Alistair Frost made a promising start, with Frost scoring a brisk 25 off 22 balls before falling to Roy Kaia.
Nick Welch added 23, but the innings gradually lost momentum as Rocks tightened their lines.
“Obviously I’m very happy. This is my first time winning a double, the Logan Cup and Pro50 so I’m very happy and definitely going to celebrate tonight,” said Southern Rocks head coach Njabulo Ncube.
Gumbie anchored the innings with a patient 51 off 110 deliveries, but his measured knock failed to lift the scoring rate.
The decisive phase came when Matthew Campbell struck key blows in the middle overs, removing Wellington Masakadza and Timycen Maruma in quick succession as M
A late effort from Spencer Magodo (34) and Michael Frost (22) briefly revived the innings, but Shelton Mazvitorera halted the charge with two crucial wickets, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 31.
Campbell also claimed three wickets, while Roy Kaia chipped in with two, ensuring Mountaineers were bowled out just short of a more competitive total.
In reply, Southern Rocks delivered a clinical chase built on a dominant opening partnership between Campbell and Innocent Kaia.
The duo added 148 runs for the first wicket, effectively putting the outcome beyond doubt.
“We have the momentum in our changing room. The way Innocent (Kaia) and Matthew (Campbell) are batting at the moment, I think they are taking all the bowlers apart,” said captain Roy Kaia.
Campbell contributed a solid 67 before falling to Prosper Mugeri, but Innocent Kaia remained unshaken, producing a masterclass in controlled aggression.
He brought up his century off 106 balls and finished unbeaten on 112 from 113 deliveries, striking 15 fours and a six.
“It’s good to see Innocent Kaia scoring hundreds. Hopefully he will get his jersey back in the national team soon. We keep working hard, and the focus is on developing our players so we can continue winning,” Ncube said.
“We were only missing Jalat Khan, who is a senior bowler, but these guys have been playing throughout. We identified them at the beginning of the season and they have delivered.”
Roy Kaia, reflecting on his leadership role, admitted the responsibility had grown beyond his initial expectations.
“My first aim was to captain in the Logan Cup, not Pro50 and T20, but the board decided otherwise. I accepted the challenge, and it’s been rewarding,” said Kaia.
By Sandra Hove
