Takashinga 2 through to NPL T20 Blast final

antumNaqvi zimbabwe cricket — Antum Naqvi in action for Tashinga 2 – PIC: Zimbabwe cricket

Takashinga 2 – 198/6 in 20 overs (Antum Naqvi 70, Cephas Zhuwao 44; Phrase Mukabeta 2-45, Malcom Cukuhwa 1-39)

Gladiators 185/7 in 20 overs (Clive Madande 50, Wessly Madhevere 32; Trevor Gwandu 3-42, Tashinga Musekiwa 1-39)

Takashinga 2 won by 13 runs

Takashinga 2 are through to the final of the National Premier League (NPL) T20 Blast final after beating Gladiators by 13 runs in the Qualifier 1 match at Harare Sports Club on Thursday afternoon.

An intimate and yet enthusiastic crowd witnessed a thrilling match which went down to the final over.

Great death-bowling by Tashinga Musekiwa, conceding one run off the last over, a wide no less, while defending 14 runs.

His yorkers were perfect and he led his side to the final.

That was in the context of a great start from Gladiators, thanks to Wessly Madhevere smashing 32 off just 11 balls. Clive Madande continued where he left and with opener Milton Shumba put on 50 runs.

Given that after 3.4 overs Gladiators were going at 17 an over, the game looked done and dusted.

And yet Takashinga 2 slowly pulled the game back and won the game by a more edgy moment than the scoreline started.

Earlier, Antum Naqvi continued with his remarkable form, scoring a 44-ball 70 to set up a massive score for Takashinga 2, probably 20 more runs than they should have.

Gladiators were let down by their fielding and will hope that department improves when they play in the Qualifier 2 on Friday.