ASHLEY DUBE
The National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast roared into action on 23 September 2023, with the top eight teams from the recently concluded NPL 45 over competition locking horns in a two-week cricketing extravaganza. The teams vying for the coveted title include Takashinga Patriots 1, Gladiators, Uprising, Takashinga Patriots 2, Rainbow, Mutare Sports Club, Westside, and Amakhosi.
In a thrilling encounter, Mutare Sports Club clinched a narrow five-run victory over Rainbow Cricket Club. The heroics of Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara in the final overs restricted Rainbow to a mere 15 runs. Chatara was particularly impressive, conceding only four runs in the final over while defending a total of 10 runs.
The match was a run-fest with no single batsman dominating the field. Nkosilathi Nungu was the top scorer for Mutare Sports Club with a brisk 26 off just 12 balls, helping his team set a target of 164-9. Chatara was the standout bowler with figures of 2-19 from his four-over spell.
For Rainbow, Brian Mudzinganyama top-scored with a measured 37 off 34 balls. Daniel Jackiel led the bowling attack with figures of 3-32.
Matchday Results:
- Westside triumphed over Amakhosi by six wickets.
- Uprising edged out Takashinga Patriots 2 by two wickets.
- Takashinga Patriots 1 succumbed to the Gladiators by a hefty margin of 37 runs.
The Gladiators, boasting a young team with players like Wesley Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Clive Madande, and Tony Munyonga forming the backbone, are considered among the favourites. All-rounder Owen Muzondo is another player to watch out for.
Despite losing to the Gladiators, Takashinga Patriots 1, the reigning NPL champions, are in the domestic cricket tournament with an experienced lineup featuring stalwarts like Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha along with Roy and Innocent Kaia.
As the tournament progresses, it will be very much interesting to see how these teams fare in their quest for Zimbabwe domestic cricket glory.
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