Takashinga Patriots 1 – 263-6 in 45 overs (Innocent Kaia 102, Brendan Taylor 61, Joylord Gumbie 42; Chris Mpofu 2/54, Petros Sithole 1/37, Tanatswa Bechani 1/44)
Queens Sports Club – 129 all out in 23.4 overs (Petros Sithole 24, Chris Mpofu 19*, Jeffrey Mhuriyengwe 15; Graeme Cremer 4/43, Kundai Matigimu 2/20, Nigel Mupurura 2/27)
Takashinga Patriots 1 won by 134 runs
Reigning National Premier League (NPL) champions Takashinga Patriots 1 began their title defence in commanding style, thumping Queens Sports Club by 134 runs at Kwekwe Sports Club on Sunday.
Opener Innocent Kaia led the charge with a classy 102 off 124 balls – the first century of the new campaign – anchoring Takashinga’s imposing total of 263 for six in 45 overs.
He was well-supported by Brendan Taylor (61) and Joylord Gumbie (42).
In response, Queens’ chase never got going as they slumped to 129 all out in just 23.4 overs.
Graeme Cremer, making his return to competitive cricket, starred with the ball, bagging four for 43, while Kundai Matigimu and Nigel Mupurura chipped in with two wickets apiece.
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Chiredzi – 111 all out in 19.1 overs (Dereck Sadoki 26, Calvin Mubvute 24, Blessed Muzite 16; Ollard Dzinokuvara 5/29, Brandon Mavuta 3/41, Philimon Ndushu 2/11)
Rimuka – 112-3 in 21.1 overs (Takudzwanashe Kaitano 26*, Bright Matsiwe 25, Tarisai Musakanda 23; Tendai Chisoro 2/35, Dereck Sadoki 1/23)
Rimuka won by seven wickets
Newcomers Chiredzi Cricket Club found the going tough in their NPL debut, crashing to a seven-wicket defeat against Rimuka at Masvingo Sports Club.
After a promising start, Chiredzi were blown away for 111 in 19.1 overs, undone by a devastating spell from Ollard Dzinokuvara, who claimed five for 29.
Only Dereck Sadoki (26) and Calvin Mubvute (24) managed to offer some resistance.
Rimuka replied confidently, reaching 112 for three in the 22nd over, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano finishing unbeaten on 26 to see his side home.
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Eastern Titans – 225 all out in 41.3 overs (Tatenda Chimugoro 62, Clive Chitumba 38, Takudzwa Nyamugure 36; Ahsan Aqil Ali 3/43, Nazim Patel 3/46, Tony Munyonga 2/30)
Alexandra – 227-6 in 41.1 overs (Faraz Akram 75, Ahsan Aqil Ali 56, Zubair Khan 40*; Tatenda Chimugoro 4/41, Prosper Mugeri 1/46)
Alex won by four wickets
In a clash of debutants, Alexandra Sports Club made a winning start to life in the NPL, overcoming Eastern Titans by four wickets in a see-saw encounter in Harare on Sunday.
After slumping to 170 for nine, Eastern Titans were revived by a spirited last-wicket stand of 55 runs between Tatenda Chimugoro (62) and Tatenda Mupunga (16 not out), taking the total to 225 all out.
In reply, Alex stumbled early but recovered through a crucial 144-run third-wicket partnership between Faraz Akram (75) and Ahsan Aqil Ali (56).
However, Chimugoro’s four for 41 briefly reignited Titans’ hopes.
Ultimately, Zubair Khan’s unbeaten 40 off 26 balls sealed the win with 3.5 overs to spare.
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Amakhosi 2 – 162 all out in 38.1 overs (Blair Morrow 28, Presley Nkomo 28, Farai Gunda 22; Nkosibongwe Gogodo 4/33, Talent Dzikiti 2/16, Thamsanqa Nunu 1/12)
Amakhosi 1 – 165-4 in 27.3 overs (Bright Phiri 65*, Adrian Mupembe 26, Brian Chari 25; Luyanda Mtomba 2/27, Sean Phiri 1/19, Prince Kaunda 1/33)
Amakhosi 1 won by six wickets
Amakhosi 1 claimed bragging rights in the all-club showdown at Bulawayo Athletic Club on Sunday, comfortably beating Amakhosi 2 by six wickets.
Batting first, Amakhosi 2 managed 162 all out, with Blair Morrow and Presley Nkomo each contributing 28.
Nkosibongwe Gogodo ripped through the middle order, returning four for 33.
Amakhosi 1’s chase was anchored by Bright Phiri, who struck a composed 65 not out off 76 balls after a brisk start by Brian Chari (25).
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Gladiators – 259 all out in 40.4 overs (Ashley Mufandauya 106, Munashe Zata 32, Phase Mukabeta 31*; Tawanda Damiso 3/40, Tatenda Utumbe 2/38, Allen Mhuka 2/60)
Methane Lions – 132 all out in 35.4 overs (Allen Mhuka 26, Tadiwa Gosho 15, Tinotenda Mukwazhe 14; Ashley Mufandauya 2/16, Malcom Chikuhwa 2/25, Tsungai Motsi 2/29)
Gladiators won by 127 runs
A brilliant 106 from Ashley Mufandauya set up a comfortable 127-run win for Gladiators over new boys Methane Lions in Masvingo on Saturday.
Mufandauya’s solo effort lifted Gladiators to 259 all out, with no other batter passing 32.
The last-wicket pair added a vital 64 runs to boost the total.
In reply, Methane Lions crumbled to 132 all out, with captain Allen Mhuka (26) the only notable contributor.
Malcom Chikuhwa, Tsungai Motsi, Munashe Zata and Mufandauya shared the wickets evenly to wrap up the contest.
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Rangers – 297-5 in 45 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 69, Sean Bennett 65*, Jarrod Basson 53; Tapiwa Mushope 2/37, Sheldon Mugari 1/43, Kevin Kasuza 1/48)
Mbizo – 125 all out in 28.4 overs (Duncan Findi 31, Walter Matawu 16, Tapiwa Mushope 14; Kudakwashe Macheka 4/48, Jason Maritz 2/9, Brandon James 2/19)
Rangers won by 172 runs
Rangers kicked off their NPL campaign with a crushing 172-run victory over Mbizo at Kwekwe Sports Club on Saturday.
Their innings was built on a blistering 107-run opening stand between Jarrod Basson (53) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (69 off 54).
Ryan Burl (45) and Sean Bennett (65 not out) added further damage as Rangers piled up 297 for five.
In reply, Mbizo never recovered after Kudakwashe Macheka reduced them to 23 for three, finishing with four for 48.
They were bundled out for 125 in 28.4 overs.
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Takashinga Patriots 2 – 258 all out in 43.2 overs (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 57, Tafadzwa Mahachi 52, Brandon Senzere 47; Frank Mazviita 4/29, Malachi Harry 2/50, Victor Makuwaza 2/55)
Westside – 199-8 in 45 overs (Panashe Gwatiringa 53*, Clive Imbayago 32, Malachi Harry 27; Simbarashe Mudzengerere 3/34, Shelton Mazvitorera 2/15, Marshall Takodza 2/30)
Takashinga Patriots 2 won by 59 runs
Takashinga Patriots 2 opened their NPL account with a hard-fought 59-run win over Westside at Old Hararians Sports Club on Saturday.
After an early scare at 22 for three, Tafadzwa Mahachi (52), Brandon Senzere (47) and Simbarashe Mudzengerere (57) rebuilt the innings to post 258 all out.
Westside’s chase never gathered momentum, slipping to 44 for four, but Panashe Gwatiringa (53 not out) fought valiantly to take them to 199 for eight.
Mudzengerere capped a fine all-round performance with three for 34.
NPL kicks off with centuries, comebacks and crushing wins
