ASHLEY DUBE
Takashinga Patriots 1 and Rainbow registered wins over Scorpions and Queens Sports Club respectively in the latest round of the National Premier League (NPL) 2023 matches. Westside secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Kadoma Cricket Club; while Faraz Akram starred in powering Takashinga Patriots 2 to a massive win over Mbizo.
Takashinga Patriots 1 beat Scorpions by 47 runs (D/L method)
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe smashed a brilliant century to power Takashinga Patriots 1 to a 47-run win over Scorpions in a rain-curtailed match at Masvingo Sports Club. The opener shared a 132-run stand with Joylord Gumbie in just 15 overs, as they laid the foundation for a big total.
Kamunhukamwe reached his hundred off 67 balls, hitting six sixes and ten fours in his knock of 107. Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava added some quick runs, as Takashinga Patriots 1 posted 295 for seven in 43 overs.
Scorpions' chase never got going, as they lost two early wickets and struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Takunda Madembo, Gabriel Jaya, and Tendai Chisoro made some resistance, scoring 63, 46, and 32 respectively, but their efforts were not enough as bad light stopped play after 36 overs.
Scorpions were well behind the D/L par score of 249, and had to concede a 47-run defeat. Takashinga Patriots 1 gained four points from the win, while Scorpions remained at the bottom of the table.
Rainbow edge past Queens Sports Club by four wickets
Richmond Mutumbami played a crucial unbeaten innings of 62 to guide Rainbow to a four-wicket victory over Queens Sports Club in their NPL match at Kwekwe Sports Club.
Queens, who opted to bat first, were boosted by Tanaka Zvaita's 67 off 96 balls, and Chris Mpofu's 26. They managed to score 203 for eight in 45 overs, with Rainbow's bowlers sharing the wickets.
Rainbow's chase got off to a poor start, as they lost three wickets for 26 runs.
They were still in trouble at 113 for five, when Mutumbami came to the rescue. He played a composed innings, scoring his 62 off 82 balls with eight fours.
He found support from Robertson Chinyengetere (27) and Kumbirayi Phiri (23 not out), as they took Rainbow over the line with four wickets and nine balls to spare.
Westside win by 6 wickets
Westside secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Kadoma thanks to an outstanding century from Kevin Kasuza at the Old Hararians Sports Club. Kadoma, batting first, got off to a shaky start losing a wicket to Fortune Mhlanga's first delivery.
However, Bright Matsiwe steadied the innings with a quickfire 54 off 43 balls, and the middle order contributed consistently. Carl Mumba was the second-highest scorer with an explosive 33 off just 15 balls, including four sixes and a four.
Kadoma finished their innings with a total of 230. Prosper Mugeri was the pick of the bowlers for Westside, taking three wickets for 51 runs.
When Westside came out to bat, Kadoma struggled with their bowling, conceding 22 wides during the innings. Kasuza took full advantage of this and played his shots freely. He reached his century in no time and ended up unbeaten on 116 off just 80 balls, hitting three sixes and 14 fours.
Faraz Akram stars for Takashinga Patriots 2
Faraz Akram put an impressive performance with his seam bowling as Mbizo suffered a six-wicket defeat against Takashinga Patriots 2 at Takashinga.
Mbizo, who were asked to bat first, saw Walter Matawu make a solid contribution of 34 runs. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals and found themselves in trouble with six wickets down for 58 runs.
Ronald Masocha fought back with some big hits, including five sixes and a four, as he scored a quickfire 50 off just 38 balls. Despite his efforts, Mbizo were eventually bowled out for 131.
Akram was the standout bowler for Takashinga, taking four wickets for only 16 runs in his 8.1 overs. He received support from Prince Masvaure, who picked up three wickets for 49 runs. In response, Takashinga had a shaky start as Jabulisa Tshuma claimed two early wickets.
However, Aliakbar Hamid played a solid innings of 42 runs. Masvaure and Knowledge Kaia then guided Takashinga to a comfortable victory with unbeaten scores of 32 runs each.
Bulawayo Athletic Club won by nine wickets
Charlton Tshuma and Brandon James had a strong start with their bowling for Bulawayo Athletic Club against the Golden Bulls.
They chose to field first and quickly had the Bulls struggling at 14 for three wickets. Despite Tendai Tapera's resilient innings of 35 runs off 36 balls, the Bulls were eventually all out for 102 in the 24th over.
Vitalis Buwu contributed 37 runs out of 61, but it was Nkosana Mpofu (38 not out) and Saxon Pettican (18 not out) who guided BAC to a comfortable nine-wicket victory without losing any more wickets.
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