Takashinga 1 claim NPL 2023 title in dramatic final day

Gladiators Cricket Club 250 all out in 43.4 overs (Wessly Madhevere 117, Malcom Chikuhwa 48, Tony Munyonga 43; Tapiwa Mufudza 3-48, Roya Kaia 2-39, Tanaka Chivanga 2-54, Wellington Masakadza 2-60)

Takashinga Cricket Club 1 272/7 in 44.1 overs (Roy Kaia 57, Innocent Kaia 52, Hamilton Masakadza 43; Cromen Zinyama 3-64, Munashe Zata 2-21)

Takashinga 1 won by 3 wickets

Takashinga Cricket Club 1 claimed the National Premier League (NPL) 2023 title, after the beat holders Gladiators Cricket Club in the final match of the season at Old Hararians.

It was a dramatic end, after Gladiators pulled it back towards the end, largely due to the exploits of the impressive Munsahe Zata.

But Tanaka Chivanga’s huge six off the final ball of the penultimate over, meant Takashinga 1 needed just three off the last over. An attempted overthrow went to the boundary and Takashinga 1 grabbed the win to clinch the title.

Earlier, Wessly Madhevere picked up his second century of the current season, scoring 117, to help Gladiators to 270 all out.

It was heartbreak for Gladiators who had won their first 11 matches of the season, to only lose the last two.

Takashinga 1 win the title on a better head to head. And that is how Gladiators finish second, having come out victors over Uprising Cricket Club.

Uprising Cricket Club 230 all out in 43.3 overs (Brian Bennett 65, Tadiwanashe Marumani 37; Cuthbert Musoko 4-61, Daich Nyandoro 3-59, Takudzwa Chataira 2-30)

Takashinga Cricket Club 2 188 all out in 36.4 overs (Alvin Chiradza 47, Rodney Mupfudza 40; Takunda Manyama 3-20, Ryan Burl 2-20

Uprising won by 42 runs

Uprising Cricket Club pole-axed championship-chasing Takashinga Cricket Club 2, beating them by 42 runs in their own backyard.

Takashinga 2 needed their siblings Takashinga 1 to win and their path to the title would be clear.

And they looked good for a while, but they lost their six wickets for just 32 runs, exposing their long tail.

Even the return of Elton Chigumbura did very little to reinstate their challenge.

Earlier, Brian Bennett continued to show his pedigree, scoring 65 in his setting up total of 230 for his side.

On any given day, it would have looked modest, but they had more than enough to grab third place in the log.

Kadoma Cricket Club 160 all out in 33.4 overs (Tarisai Musakanda 34, Victor Chirwa 24; Ronald Masocha 4-35, Abel Chirimuta 2-39)

Mbizo Cricket Club 102 all out in 22.4 overs (Clifford Takaedza 53, Walter Matawu 28; Victor Chirwa 6-29, Lewis Mushaninga 4-21)

Kadoma Cricket Club won by 58 runs

Kadoma Cricket Club may have had nothing but pride for which to play, but they still inflicted a heavy 58-run defeat on Mbizo Club at Kwekwe Sports Club.

Their forfeited match against Amakhosi Cricket Club means that they will not take part in the NPL T20 Blast because of an inferior head to head.

That did little to discourage Victor Chirwa’s exploits, as he took six wickets to end the season on the same number of scalps from Takashinga 1’s Tapiwa Mufudza.

A highlight for Mbizo was Clifford Takaedza picking up a half century, and the fact that they bowled out Kadoma.

Other than that, their first go at the NPL will be one of lessons.

Mutare Sports Club 211 all out in 42.0 overs (Donald Tirpano 59*, Spencer Magodo 51, Clive Chitumba 48; Brad Evans 3-32, Jonathan Campbell 3-52, Matthew Campbell 2-38, Patrick Nyamapfeni 2-41)

Rainbow Cricket Club 214/5 in 35.1 overs (Jonathan Campbell 79, Richmond Mutumbami 61*; Clive Chitumba 2-21, Tatenda Mupunga 2-41)

Rainbow 1 won by five wickets

Jonathan Campbell and Richmond Mutumbami put on 142 for the fifth wicket, in setting up Rainbow Cricket Club’s five-wicket win over Mutare Sports Club.

Campbell top-scored with 79 on his return to action following an injury while on tour in South Africa.

Mutumbami was left undefeated on 61 in the chase.

The match saw the return of national team star Brad Evans for his first match since the Zim Afro T10 and three for three for 32 at an economy of 3.56 showed his class.

Veteran Chevrons bowler Donald Tiripano provided a lot of resistance however, remaining unbeaten on 59 as Mutrare set their stall.

It was not enough but there was a lot from both sides to carry to the NPL T20 Blast.

Queens Sports Club 182 all out after 44.3 overs (Munashe Chimusoro 48; Elvin Nxumalo 4-27, Jimmy Nyangomi 2-16, Shane Chigumbura 2-49)

Golden Bulls 30 all out in 11.3 overs (Kelvin Mabvute 12, Jimmy Nyangoni 12; Mgcini Dube 8-10, Isheunopa Musekwa 1-3)

Queens 1 Sports Club won by 152 runs

Golden Bulls’s ignominious debut NPL season as they were bowled out for a paltry 30 runs.

They lost by 152 runs to Queens Sports Club.

Mgcini Dube returned schoolboy figures of eight for 10. Only two players got to double figures for Bulls, as they carried the wooden spoon out of the door.

Hey, at least they bowled out Queens.

Westside Cricket Club 196 all out in 33.2 overs (Tinashe Muchawaya 104, Definate Mawadzi 32; Brandon James 4-20, Hugh Bvute 3-23, Taboka Manyalo 2-47)

Bulawayo Athletic Club 197/6 in 31.3 overs (Brandon James 79. Nkosana Mpofu 32; Vincent Masekesea 3-47, Prosper Mugeri 2-34)

Bulawayo Athletic Club won by 4 wickets

Westside Cricket Club went from giving the league leaders a bloody nose to losing at the hands of the lowly Bulawayo Athletic Club by four wickets.

Tinashe Muchawaya’s 104 was the centerpiece of their small total of 196. Even Kevin Kasuza the top century-maker for the season scored only four.

Brandon James tormented with the ball, taking four for 20.

He then returned with the bat, scoring 79 as Bulawayo Athletic competed their fourtrh victory of the season.

Zimbabwe National Premier League 2023 final standings

• *Gladiators finish second because they beat Uprising during the season. Playing rules say that in the event of the same number of points, then head to head results will be the differentiator
• ^ Amakhosi finish eighth and are through to the NPL T20 Blast because Kadoma forfeited a match against them. That means it registers as a win for Amakhosi and go eighth for the same reason as above.

ALSO READ:
NPL T20 Blast kicks off this weekend and here are the opening fixtures

Subscribe to Blog via Email