ASHLEY DUBE
Takashinga Patriots 1 posted the highest total of the NPL T20 Blast so far, as they thrashed Uprising by 51 runs at their home ground on Monday. The hosts piled up a mammoth 281 for 5, thanks to a sensational knock from opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, who smashed 51 off just 15 balls.
Kamunhukamwe set the tone for the innings with a blistering display of power-hitting, hitting four sixes and six fours in his brief but explosive stay at the crease. He was dismissed in the fifth over, but not before he had taken the score to 77.
His partner Hamilton Masakadza then took over the charge, and played a magnificent innings of 74 off 29 balls, with seven sixes and three fours.
He was well supported by his brother Wellington, who remained unbeaten on 47 off 19 balls, with four sixes and two fours.
Uprising's decision to bowl first proved to be a costly one, as they had no answer to Takashinga's onslaught.
None of their bowlers could contain the run-flow, as they conceded 14 fours and 23 sixes in the innings.
The only bright spot for them was the wicket of Kamunhukamwe, which was taken by spinner Tendai Chisoro.
Chasing a daunting target of 282, Uprising needed a miracle to pull off an unlikely win.
They started well, with Nick Welch playing a fluent innings of 69 off 31 balls, with seven sixes and four fours.
He added 83 for the second wicket with Aisha Chibanda, who also played some good shots and scored 37 off 15 balls.
However, once they were dismissed, the chase fell apart, as no other batsman could offer any resistance. Uprising were eventually restricted to 230 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling short by a huge margin of 51 runs.
Takashinga's bowlers did a commendable job in defending their massive total, with seamer Tapiwa Mufudza picking up three wickets for 38 runs.
He was ably assisted by spinner Roy Kaia, who took two wickets for 32 runs.
Musekiwa and Mupfudza rescue Takashinga 2 from Chatara-Tiripano onslaught
Tashinga Musekiwa and Rodney Mupfudza played crucial knocks to help Takashinga Patriots 2 overcome a fiery spell from Mutare Sports Club's pace duo of Tendai Chatara and Donald Tiripano in their NPL T20 Blast encounter on Monday.
Musekiwa smashed 41 off 25 balls, while Mupfudza scored an unbeaten 36 off 31 balls, as Takashinga 2 recovered from a precarious 45 for four to post a competitive 153 for five.
Elton Chigumbura also chipped in with a brisk 31 before he retired hurt.
Mutare Sports Club's chase never got going, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 70 for nine after 12 overs.
Wallace Mubayiwa and Prince Masvaure shared four wickets between them, while the rest of the bowlers kept things tight.
Patrick Chinengundu and Chatara showed some resistance in the end, adding 46 runs for the tenth wicket, but it was too little too late.
Mutare Sports Club finished at 116 for nine, falling short by 37 runs.
Kasuza and Madhevere shine as Westside and Gladiators maintain winning streak
Westside and Gladiators continued their impressive form in the NPL T20 Blast, registering their second consecutive victories over Rainbow and Amakhosi respectively on Monday.
At Old Hararians Sports Club, Westside chased down a modest target of 144 with four wickets and eight balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant knock of 64 from Kevin Kasuza.
The opener anchored the innings after Westside lost three early wickets, and forged a crucial 63-run stand with Bright Njanji for the fourth wicket.
Kasuza's innings was laced with six fours and two sixes, and he was dismissed in the penultimate over with just seven runs needed.
Tinashe Muchawaya then finished the job with an unbeaten 11.
Rainbow, who opted to bat first, had a solid start with Brian Mudzinganyama and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe putting on 54 for the first wicket. Mudzinganyama carried on to make a fluent 73 not out, hitting nine fours and a six in his 66-ball knock.
However, he lacked support from the other end, as Westside's bowlers kept a tight leash on the scoring rate.
Rainbow could only manage 143 for three in their 20 overs, which proved to be inadequate.
At Kwekwe Sports Club, Gladiators cruised to a six-wicket win over Amakhosi with 16 balls remaining, riding on a superb half-century from Wessly Madhevere.
The all-rounder smashed 56 off 40 balls, including six fours and two sixes, and shared a 66-run opening partnership with Ashley Mufandauya in just six overs.
Madhevere's dismissal did not affect Gladiators' momentum, as Owen Muzondo played an unbeaten cameo of 26 to seal the chase.
Amakhosi, who were sent in to bat, had a promising partnership between Nkosana Mpofu and Tawanda Mhora, who added 88 runs for the second wicket. Mpofu was the aggressor, scoring 62 off 51 balls before retiring hurt.
However, Amakhosi failed to capitalise on their platform, as they lost wickets at regular intervals and could not accelerate in the death overs.
They finished with 134 for six, with Phase Mukabeta being the pick of the bowlers for Gladiators with three for 28.
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