Takashinga 1 clinch NPL 2024 title!

Bulawayo Athletic Club 73 in 21.2 overs (Pascal Murungi 25, Donald Tapfuma 25; Roy Kaia 5-22, Blessing Muzarabani 2-10, Trevor Mutsamba 2-20)

Takashinga 1 77/0 in 9.2 overs (Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 55*, Joylord Gumbie 17*)

Takashinga 1 won by 10 wickets

Takashinga 1 are the 2024 National Premier League (NPL) after beating Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) at Kwekwe Sports Club.

The defending champions completed the season in style, dismissing BAC for just 73.

Roya Kaia was the main lynchpin, taking five for 22 in six overs. Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Mutsamba took two each.

Ugandan import Pascal Murungi and Donald Tapfuma top-scored with 25 each.

Takashinga 1 raced to their win in just 9.2 overs. Tinashe Kamunhukamwe got 55 not-out in just 25 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.

With that, Takashinga 1 became the first side to win back-to-back titles.

Queens 306/8 in 45 overs (Tanaka Zvaita 80, Dalubuhle Mboyi 53, Tanatswa Bechani 53; Winfred Matende 3-63)

Knights 74/9 in 22.1 overs (Lastie Chinyengetere 21, Calvin Mubvute 20; Isheunopha Musekwa 5-14, Vusi Kasipani 2-20)

Queens won by 232 runs

Queens booked their place in the NPL T20 Blast with a massive 232-run over Knights at Bulawayo Athletic Club.

They blasted 306 for eight batting first after losing the toss.

Tanaka Zviaita made 80, while Dalubuhle Mboyi and captain Tanatswa Bechani made 53 each. Mboyi was retired hurt.

Knights, who have now failed to win a match this season, put on a limp effort in scoring 74 for nine.

Tawananyasha Kasondo did not come out to bat.

SOGO Rangers 295/7 in 45 overs (Jarod Basson 83, Jayden Schadendorf 74, Ryan Burl 58; Ollard Dzinokuvara 2-48, Brandon Mavuta 2-55, Takudzwanaishe Kaitano 2-56)

Rimuka 77 in 21.2 overs (Takudzwanaishe Kaitano 21, Tashinga Musekiwa 15, Ollard Dzinokuvara 13; Benjamin Banks 7-23)

SOGO Rangers won by 218 runs

Benjamin Banks took seven wickets in decimating the Rimuka lineup to give SOGO Rangers a 218-run win at Old Georgians Sports Club.

It included a hat trick to remove Takudzwanaishe Kaitano, Brandon Mavuta and Tendai Chitoro.

That returned his best figures in what is his debut NPL season.

Rangers had put a monster 295 for seven, spearheaded by half-centuries from Jarod Basson (83), Jayden Schadendorf (74) and Ryan Burl (58).

The loss means Rimuka miss out on the NPL T20 Blast. Their slot goes to fellow Midlands side Mbizo.

Scorpions 118 in 29.2 overs (Nkosilatihi Nungu 59, Takunda Madembo 29; Ryan Simbi 5-34, Wishnenzy Chapfombo 3-24)

Takashinga 2 121/4 in 15.3 overs (Tino Chiwara 51, Marshall Takodza 24*; Vincen Moyo 2-17, Tafara Chingwara 2-33)

Takashinga 2 won by 6 wickets

Takashinga 2 made a strong ending to the season by beating Scorpions by six wickets at Masvingo Sports Club.

2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup star Ryan Simbi took five wickets in bowling out Scorpions for just 118 runs.

Nkosilathi Nungu was the agitator in chief for Scorpions when he made 59, even as those around him kept failing.

Takashinga 2 had an opening stand of 73 to set up a comfortable win.
Tinashe Chimbambo was out caught behind Tafara Chingwara for 19. Tino Chiwara was bowled by Vincent Moyo for 51 in the next over.

Shane Garwe and Tinotenda Maposa went cheaply, but Marshall Takodza and captain Knowledge Kaia took the side home comfortably. They made 24 and 17, respectively.

Rainbow 237/4 in 45 overs (Kian Arnold 68, Clive Imbayago 67; Tanatswa Chisvo 2-42)

Gladiators 149 in 31.3 overs (Munyaradzi Chingoruma 51, Panashe Taruvinga 28; Munashe Chipoyi 5-28)

Rainbow Cricket Club won by 88 runs

Rainbow beat Gladiators by 88 runs at Takashinga Cricket Club.

After winning the toss, they amassed 237 for four in their 45 overs.

Muhammad Khan and Kian Arnold led with an opening partnership of 79 before the former was caught behind for 39 off the bowling of Masimba Marovatsanga.

Arnold was joined by Clive Imbayago, and the pair put on 67. Arnold was stumped by Lennox Chando for 68 off Tanatswa Chisvo. He made 68.
Imbayago then held the innings together and was not out on 67.

Gladiators struggled to get going, with Munyaradzi Chingoruma’s 51, Panashe Taruvinga scoring 28, and captain Ashley Mufandauya adding 20.

Munashe Chipoyi helped himself to five wickets as Rainbow picked up a comfortable win.