HARARE - Matabeleland Tuskers took the Castle Logan Cup title for the third time in succession courtesy of a draw against Mountaineers at Mutare Sports Club on Friday.

The draw in Mutare took the Tuskers to an unassailable 35 points with a game remaining before the end of the season.

Tuskers will play Southern Rocks in a dead rubber to conclude their season next month.

Mountaineers remained in second place with 29 points following the draw while Mid-West Rhinos with 21 points, Southern Rocks (15) and Mash Eagles with a point complete the standings on the five-team table.

Tuskers coach Heath Streak coach gave credit to his players towards the successful defending of the championship they first won in 2010.

“Obviously we would love an outright victory but it was more important that we secure the trophy even with a draw,” Streak told the Daily News on Sunday.

“I owe to the players, they have done it for themselves and the franchise and I’m proud to be a part of that legacy.”

Bilal Shafayat an overseas professional rescued the Tuskers from the jaws of defeat with a century and half (152 runs) in the second innings while left hander Sean Williams weighed in with 83 runs.

The champions also had to rely on last man John Nyumbu’s 65 runs in the first innings after Shafayat had earlier scored 67 runs.

The total was however, not enough for them to avoid the follow-on after falling 177 runs shy of Mountaineers score.

“Shafayat’s second innings knock was a huge contribution and that was probably the big reason why we won the championship,” Streak added.

“Nyumbu also came in with a massive contribution scoring 65 runs at number 11 and I’m glad most of the guys have been able to chip in at different intervals during the course of the season.

“We now have an inconsequential game against the Rocks but it’s not gonna change anything instead gives us an opportunity to blood in a lot of youngsters who haven’t played much.”

Mountaineers, who had won the toss and elected to bat before declaring at 475 for seven, needed 135 runs to win from 10 overs on Friday.

Greg Lamb and Timycen Maruma scored a century each for the hosts in the first innings.

Opener Lamb scored 157 runs from 196 balls while Maruma was unbeaten on 105 runs from the same number of deliveries.

 Kevin Kasuza contributed 66 runs batting at number three as the home team surged to a massive first innings total.