NPL Latest: Uprising and Takashinga 2 register wins

ASHLEY DUBE 

In the latest action of the National Premier League, Uprising defeated Kadoma Sports Club by 12 runs—despite Takudzwanashe Kaitano performing impressively, scoring 79 runs, while Victor Chirwa displayed excellent bowling skills by taking five wickets. However, these standout individual performances were not enough as Kadoma Sports Club suffered a close defeat in their National Premier League match at Old Hararians Sports Club on Thursday.

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Uprising, who were asked to bat first, received a strong opening partnership from Craig Ervine and Tariro Mukauyo, with both players scoring 42 runs and adding 72 runs for the first wicket before Mukauyo's dismissal. Ryan Kamwemba contributed well with 39 runs, and Aisha Chibanda added 25 runs. With the score at 164 for four wickets in 23 overs, Uprising seemed on track for a winning total.

Victor Chirwa's remarkable bowling performance turned the tide. In an impressive spell, he took five wickets for 34 runs in nine overs, dismantling the Uprising tail. As a result, Uprising were all out for 192 runs in the 31st over.

Chasing the target, Kadoma lost three wickets for 47 runs, but Kaitano and Nyasha Mayavo (23 runs) managed to take the score to 98 before the fourth wicket fell. 

Unfortunately, the remaining batsmen failed to provide the necessary support to Kaitano. When he was dismissed as the ninth batsman, Kadoma's hopes effectively diminished, and they were eventually bowled out for a total of 180 runs.

At Masvingo Sports Club, it was once again a player from the losing team who delivered an impressive individual performance. Jayden Schadendorf scored 72 runs for Scorpions, although Takashinga Patriots 2 emerged victorious by six wickets according to the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Scorpions, electing to bat first, had a promising start as Schadendorf and Blessed Muzite built a partnership and took the score to 94 runs before the second wicket fell in the 19th over. 

However, Scorpions struggled with their middle-order batting, ultimately reaching a total of 201 for nine wickets. Prince Masvaure was the most effective bowler for Takashinga Patriots 2, taking three wickets for 25 runs.

Takashinga Patriots 2 started their innings confidently, making 14 runs without loss before rain interrupted the match during the second over of their reply. 

At the time, Baxon Gopito had scored nine runs, and Aliakbar Hamid had contributed four runs. After the rain delay, the match was reduced to 27 overs, and the target was adjusted to 151 runs.

Gopito went on to make 38 runs, but the game-changing partnership came from the unbroken fifth-wicket stand between Alvin Chiradza and Prince Masvaure, both of whom remained unbeaten with 35 runs each. 

This partnership of 75 runs ensured Takashinga Patriots 2 sealed the victory according to the Duckworth-Lewis method.